Rep. Kennedy presents award at gay rights dinner
11:26 AM Sun, Oct 11, 2009 | Permalink
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By John E. Mulligan WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy appeared Saturday at a dinner for the Human Rights Campaign that President Obama headlined with a renewed pledge to end the military's "Don't ask, don't tell'' policy regarding homosexuality in the ranks. Kennedy presented the gay right's organization's first Edward M. Kennedy National Leadership Award to Judy and Dennis Shepard, the parents of Matthew Shepard, who was killed 11 years ago in Wyoming because of his sexual orientation. Kennedy said last week that he believes securing rights for gay people is part of the unfinished business of the civil rights movement in this nation. In his speech at the Human Rights Campaign's 13th annual dinner, Mr. Obama said, "I will end 'Don't ask, don't tell.'" The president told the black-tie gathering of 3,000 that the armed services cannot afford to discharge gay members with critical skills. Acknowledging criticism from some gay rights activists about the pace of his action on their issues, Mr. Obama said "Do not doubt the direction we are headed and the destination we will reach." 
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