Gay rights activists heckle Barack Obama

Opponents of the "don't ask don't tell" policy on gays in the US military interrupted President Barack Obama with heckling at a Los Angeles fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer.

The protesters shouted to ask Mr Obama what he was going to do about the policy, which prohibits gays from serving openly in the military.

The shouts grew so insistent that Mr Obama responded.

The president said that he supported overturning "don't ask don't tell" and suggested the protesters should be shouting at the people who don't.

Mr Obama called on Congress to lift the ban, and military officials are examining how to do that.

Mr Obama also told the crowd that Ms Boxer opposed "don't ask don't tell" in the first place.