WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- President Obama honored Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month with a White House reception Monday where he likened the struggle for gay rights with the struggle of African-Americans for civil rights . President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama entertain Monday in the White House 's East Room . With first lady Michelle Obama at his side , the president told the cheering crowd filling the East Room that his administration would work to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act and end the `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' policy regarding gays in the military . `` I know that many in this room do n't believe that progress has come fast enough , and I understand that , '' Obama said . `` It 's not for me to tell you to be patient any more than it was for others to counsel patience to African-Americans who were petitioning for equal rights a half-century ago . '' The `` do n't ask , do n't tell '' policy bars military officials from asking about a service member 's sexual orientation but also bars the service member from revealing it , and allows the dismissal of a service member if a same-sex orientation is discovered . `` I believe preventing patriotic Americans from serving their country weakens our national security , '' Obama said to applause . Ending the policy requires an act of Congress and will take time , he added . The Defense of Marriage Act effectively bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex unions , even as individual states legalize them . It is one of the most divisive political issues in America , strongly backed by conservatives -- particularly the religious right . `` We have a duty to uphold existing law , but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides , '' Obama said . `` And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law . '' He also is pushing for passage of a law guaranteeing full benefits including health care for lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender couples and their children , as well as bills to strengthen laws against hate crimes and prevent employment discrimination based on sexuality , Obama said . `` There are unjust laws to overturn and unfair practices to stop , '' he said . `` And though we 've made progress , there are still fellow citizens -- perhaps neighbors or even family members and loved ones -- who still hold fast to worn arguments and old attitudes , who fail to see your families like their families and who would deny you the rights that most Americans take for granted . And I know this is painful , and I know it can be heartbreaking . '' Obama cited the roots of the gay rights struggle in the Stonewall riot 40 years ago , when police raided a New York nightclub and sparked a demonstration that lasted for days . `` As we 've seen so many times in history , once that spirit takes hold , there 's little that can stand in its way , '' he said to cheers that turned to laughs when he added : `` The truth is , when these folks protested at Stonewall 40 years ago , no one could have imagined that you or , for that matter , I would be standing here today . ''
President Obama tells crowd at White House to give him time to reverse laws . Obama likens struggle for gay rights with struggle of blacks for civil rights . Comment: