Amos your copy of a report on 30 Jun 09 - 12:17 PM doesn't say what event it's describing or atribute the source.

A recent BBC report on the progress for anti discrimination laws against homosexuals in America seems to portray a somewhat less 'spun' situation

"US President Barack Obama has signed a measure extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal government workers.

The move comes amid anger from Mr Obama's gay supporters that he has not done enough to protect the rights of gay Americans.....

...what is being seen as an incremental step forward was not well-received by critics.

"When a president tells you he's going to be different, you believe him," John Aravosis, a Washington-based gay activist was quoted by AP as saying.

"It's not that he didn't follow through on his promises, he stabbed us in the back."

Mr Obama has indicated his opposition to the US military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, under which gay servicemen and women are allowed to serve, but only if they do not publicly disclose their sexuality or engage in homosexual acts.

But since entering the White House, Mr Obama has done nothing to overturn the policy, and has declined to intervene in the cases of gay soldiers who have been thrown out of the military for being gay.

Mr Obama's failure to repeal the military ban is not the only issue that has frustrated gay rights campaigners.

Last week, the Department of Justice (DoJ) issued a legal opinion in response to a lawsuit challenging the legality of the Defence of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as being between a man and a woman.

A justice department spokesperson insisted that the president is opposed to the Defence of Marriage Act, but that until the act is repealed in Congress, the DoJ has a duty to defend the law as it stands.

But the controversial opinion prompted at least three prominent gay donors to the Democratic Party to withdraw from a party fundraiser, which is due to take place on 25 June."

from BBC News / America 17 June 2009