Obama to host reception to mark Gay Pride Month

PanARMENIAN.Net - President Barack Obama will host a reception at the White House to observe Gay Pride Month on Friday, June 15, the Associated Press reports.

In a proclamation earlier this month, the president stressed that his administration has worked to "level the playing field for lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender people."

Obama's recent declaration of support for gay marriage was celebrated as a key endorsement among gay rights groups.

After the reception, the first family leaves for Chicago, where they will spend the night. Also on Friday, Obama will have lunch at a local Washington restaurant with winners of a campaign contest.

Last summer, gays in the military dared not acknowledge their sexual orientation. This summer, the Pentagon will salute them, marking June as gay pride month just as it has marked other celebrations honoring racial or ethnic groups.

In the latest remarkable sign of change since the military repealed the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, the Defense Department will soon hold its first event to recognize gay and lesbian troops. It comes nine months after repeal of the policy that had prohibited gay troops from serving openly and forced more than 13,500 service members out of the armed forces.

Details are still being worked out, but officials say Defense Secretary Leon Panetta wants to honor the contributions of gay service members.