President Barack Obama's Promises to Improve Gays' Civil Rights

President Barack Obama was in office less than 24 hours when the White House website posted a litany of items the Obama administration intends to address in a move toward equality for gay people.

Included in an agenda listed under "Civil Rights" and a sub-head entitled "Support for the LGBT Community," are eight items.

Third on the agenda but likely foremost in many Americans' minds following Prop. 8's passage in November is Obama's vow to "Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples."

"Obama also believes we need to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions," according to the site.

Repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell," is another issue the Obama administration said it would tackle.

"President Obama agrees with former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff John Shalikashvili and other military experts that we need to repeal the "don't ask, don't tell" policy," according to the site, "The key test for military service should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Discrimination should be prohibited."

Another issue that came home to roost during November's election was adoption rights for LGBT parents, when Arkansas voters stripped its gay families of that right. Obama intends to ensure adoption rights for people regardless of sexual orientation, stating that a loving home for children is most imperative.

Obama's White House intends to "Expand Hate Crimes Statutes." Obama formerly cosponosored legislation that would expand federal jurisdiction to include violent hate crimes perpetrated because of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or physical disability, according to the site.

"Fighting Workplace Discrimination" is another priority for Obama and the LGBT community. During his time in the Illinois State Senate, Obama sponsored legislations that sought to ban employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

Finally, the President intends to "Promote Aids Prevention" and to "Empower Women to Prevent HIV / AIDS," noting that homophobia tied to HIV / AIDS has often exacerbated the issue.