Obama: Don’t Holler at Me About ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’

By Kai Wright Apr 20, 2010

The gay rights group GetEQUAL got under President Obama’s skin a bit last night at a fundraiser for California Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is facing a difficult re-election campaign. Five activists interrupted Obama’s speech big upping Boxer to demand he do more to repeal the "don’t ask, don’t tell" policy barring LGBT service members from the military. A clearly annoyed Obama told the hecklers he’s on their side and tried to keep the event on message. "When you’ve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you’ve got an ally like me, then you don’t know why you’ve gotta holler, because we already here you," he snapped, adding, "What we should be worrying about is how we’re gonna make sure barbara boxer gets elected." GetEQUAL pointedly disagreed. The offending activists explained themselves in a statement following last night’s protest (h/t JoeMyGod):

“President Obama has been AWOL on DADT,” [said Dan] Fotou. “We had to remind him of the promises he made to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community during his campaign and several times during his Presidency–that DADT will be repealed because, as he’s stated, ‘it’s the right thing to do.’” “We made it clear our community will hold accountable our President for unkept promises,” said [Michelle] Wright. “Denying LGBT service members and personnel the ability to serve their country is unfair.”

GetEQUAL also coordinated a protest last month in which Lt. Dan Choi handcuffed himself to the White House gates.