President Obama, in recent months, has said he was "evolving" on the subject of whether or not gay couples should have the right to marry.
Today, the president made a statement the news corp has been wanting him to make for the entire length of his presidential career.
"I am for gay marriage."
While campaigning for the presidency in 2008, Mr. Obama made his thoughts clear that he was not in favor of same sex marriages, saying he believed that the union of marriage is between a man and a woman.
Today, seemingly at the completion of his 'evolution', and in an election year, President Obama affirmed his new belief in an interview with ABC News' Robin Roberts.
"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation that they believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."
Wanda, Ellen, Don Lemon, Queen Latifah, and Chaz Bono (she's a he, now) should all be happy. As would Maurice Sendak, writer and illustrator of the beloved children’s book, "Where the Wild Things Are" (which has been read to the Obama children and also featured at White House Easter Egg Rolls), and Vidal Sassoon, both of whom passed before President Obama's historic announcement.
Vice President Biden made his own thoughts known, speaking on Meet The Press this past weekend saying he was "entirely comfortable" with the issue. His comment, many speculate, were either to suggest that President Obama was finally on board and would later disclose his stance to the American people, or that Biden's remarks were just another embarrassing gaffe for the administration.
While the Obama administration's high ranking officials (to include Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan) may be in favor of the right for gays to marry, the state of North Carolina has banned the practice, passing the amendment 61 to 39 percent.
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who sured up votes in three states yesterday, also opposes gay marriage. At least for now.
"Well, when these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts, I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name," Romney told Denver Fox affiliate KDVR-TV.
It still seems apparent, at least to us, that Romney is following in Obama's footsteps. He (tries to) sing on national TV (after Obama did his Al Green bit), he wants you to pledge money to win a sit down dinner with you (as Obama has down throughout his presidential reign), and he often quotes the president using verbiage like "That's not who we are."
Well, this is who Romney is, at least for today when it comes to gay marriage.
"My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights, and the like are appropriate but that the others are not."
Any bet he'll change that stance?
----
Question:
What say you on the president's decision to support gay marriage: Are you for it, or against?
Related
Representative John Lewis on the President's decision
It's just comedy (The Daily Show): Is President Obama gay (friendly)?
Gays donate $1M to Obama Campaign
President Obama's 'spiritual advisor' against his gay stand.
Today, the president made a statement the news corp has been wanting him to make for the entire length of his presidential career.
"I am for gay marriage."
While campaigning for the presidency in 2008, Mr. Obama made his thoughts clear that he was not in favor of same sex marriages, saying he believed that the union of marriage is between a man and a woman.
 |
| Two men in support of gay marriage. |
"I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation that they believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."
Wanda, Ellen, Don Lemon, Queen Latifah, and Chaz Bono (she's a he, now) should all be happy. As would Maurice Sendak, writer and illustrator of the beloved children’s book, "Where the Wild Things Are" (which has been read to the Obama children and also featured at White House Easter Egg Rolls), and Vidal Sassoon, both of whom passed before President Obama's historic announcement.
Vice President Biden made his own thoughts known, speaking on Meet The Press this past weekend saying he was "entirely comfortable" with the issue. His comment, many speculate, were either to suggest that President Obama was finally on board and would later disclose his stance to the American people, or that Biden's remarks were just another embarrassing gaffe for the administration.
 |
Sign at the Devon Park United Methodist Church polling site in North Carolina
boldy emphasizes the state's position on gay marriage. AP Photo. |
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney, who sured up votes in three states yesterday, also opposes gay marriage. At least for now.
"Well, when these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts, I indicated my view, which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name," Romney told Denver Fox affiliate KDVR-TV.
It still seems apparent, at least to us, that Romney is following in Obama's footsteps. He (tries to) sing on national TV (after Obama did his Al Green bit), he wants you to pledge money to win a sit down dinner with you (as Obama has down throughout his presidential reign), and he often quotes the president using verbiage like "That's not who we are."
Well, this is who Romney is, at least for today when it comes to gay marriage.
"My view is the domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights, and the like are appropriate but that the others are not."
Any bet he'll change that stance?
----
Question:
What say you on the president's decision to support gay marriage: Are you for it, or against?
Related
Representative John Lewis on the President's decision
It's just comedy (The Daily Show): Is President Obama gay (friendly)?
Gays donate $1M to Obama Campaign
President Obama's 'spiritual advisor' against his gay stand.
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