Lots of LGBT folks spent their yesterday filling up the Human Rights Campaign’s voicemail to demand the group put public pressure on President Obama to take the lead on a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. The HRC’s response? Don’t bother. From their press release sent out in response to the “blog swarm” called by John Aravosis at AmericaBlog:

The President has committed to repeal, but has also made clear that we need the votes in Congress.

The press release goes on to lay out the HRC’s efforts to build more “grassroots” efforts to target pressure on certain legislators, a strategy seemingly out of place when a large percentage of the public supports a repeal, senior military leadership supports a repeal, and growing numbers of servicemembers either support a repeal or are resigned to the change, and one that will take a long time to come to fruition. From the looks of it, the HRC has decided to give up on changing Obama’s less-than-effective “leadership” strategy, and accept a repeal down the road.

That is, if they actually plan on putting a lot of pressure on legislative leaders with their fabled grassroots campaign…

Elsewhere…

D.C. – The DC Agenda thinks that because Indiana Senator Evan Bayh voted in favor of LGBT rights on a few, very safe pieces of legislation, his impending retirement will change a lot for LGBT rights causes. Now, Harry Reid’s defeat might be a bigger problem. (DC Agenda)

California – It looks like Buju Banton’s West Coast tour has been canceled due to public pressure. (The Advocate)

Arizona – Conservatives continue to roll back Janet Napolitano’s somewhat-progressive gubernatorial legacy, by disqualifying queer couples and single folks from adopting children if a straight, married couple could be found instead. (Joe.My.God)

Malawi – Police have launched a witch hunt for gays… (Towleroad)

Uganda – …while Ugandan homo-hater Rev. Martin Ssempa holds a packed gay porn screening in a church, to promote the “Kill Gays” bill. (Towleroad)