Gates promises slow progress on DADT

July 1, 7:07 PMInternational LGBT Issues ExaminerKelvin Lynch

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                 Defense Sec. Robert Gates/AP Photo

Following a talk with President Obama, Defense Secretary Robert Gates, who recently said a repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell would be "down the road", or "never", is now supposedly looking at ways to "selectively enforce" the law, according to the AP.

"One of the things we're looking at is, is there flexibility in how we apply this law?" Gates said.  "We're looking to see if there's at least a more humane way to apply the law until the law gets changed,"

Gates, a Bush administration holdover, said he has lawyers looking at potential stopgap measures; however, he admitted the DADT law doesn't have much wiggle room.

There is no timetable for the pending bill to repeal DADT, and gay rights leaders are calling.  President Obama says he wants to build support for the change among military commanders before urging Congress to move ahead.