President Obama finally came out of the closet over his stance on marriage equality. Obama declared his unequivocal support of it, saying "it is important for me personally to go ahead and affirm that same-sex couples should be able to get married."
He now becomes the first president in the history of the United States to publicly back same-sex unions. The endorsement clarifies his position on the issue, often source on criticism from the LGBT community who wanted him to take stronger stance in favor marriage equality. Previously, the president stated his thoughts on the matter were "evolving."
"I have hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought that civil unions would be sufficient," Obama said in an interview with ABC News. "I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people the word ‘marriage' was something that invokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs and so forth."
The announcement also puts the issue center stage in the 2012 presidential campaign and pacts political risks. Current polling data suggests the country is fairly split. Just yesterday, voters in the swing state of North Carolina approved an amendment to the state's constitution banning same-sex unions.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney opposes gay marriage.
Earlier in the week, Vice President Joe Biden told NBC's Meet The Press he's "absolutely comfortable" with same-sex couples being granted the same rights as heterosexual ones. And Secretary of Education Arne Duncan also publicly voiced his support of marriage equality on MSNBC's Morning Joe.
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"I was sensitive to the fact that for a lot of people the word 'marriage' was something that invokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth" Barrack Obama.
Apparently not anymore though, Mr. President. Obviously without the Wall Street bucks coming into your reelection campaign you are going after the entertainment industries bucks instead, and their hedonistic, non traditional and non religious world, "and so forth".
Lesbian, bisexual, gay and trasgendered characters populate just about every TV Show, and seemingly every kids or adult cartoons on TV, not to mention most moves made in the past 20 years (including one notable modern day Western). Remember the good old days when Afro-Americans made up the cause celebre for the entertainment industries social conscious? At least they were a minority that made up 10% of the US population, instead of the 3.5% that the LBGT population do. And their minority status wasn't one of choice either.
Ah yes, Barack Obama willing to do just about anything to get elected. Getting desperate. He gains a few gay and lesbian votes but loses 150 million christian voters who are completely oppose to this. Nice Mr. Prez, keep up the bad work.
I am a strong Obama supporter however I can not tell you how angry I am with him right now and the Gay and Lesbian community and commentators like Lawrence. The issue for me is not whether I support gay marriage or not. It is the fact that the issue is such a devisive one that I can not believe he made this announcement at this time. I am angry that they pressured him and that he bowed to the pressure. The timing is awful. Gays and lesbians may have one this little tiny battle by getting him to say what he said but will they loose the war in the end for themselves and every one else. Bigotry is not my struggle here. It is the fact that this was one of those make and break campaign issues that did not need to be dealt with before November.
And it is a states issue, not a federal issue. So it seems the strategy is to distract the political conversation, and seek to steer the voters' interest away from the faltering economy at best.
I now don't know who to vote for. I have no problem with everyone having all the same rights as everyone else. but don't let a questionable minority tarnish the sanctity of the tradition and the word marriage which has been around since biblical times.
If you are really a christian and not one of convenience should vehemently oppose the use of marriage for same sex unions, since they are neither natural or normal and will only help to drag the image of the US.down lower than it already is.
Dear MSNBC,
Can Krystal Ball please get her own show on your network?
Thank you.
Just another flip flop from the true flip flopper in charge. But I don't see you libs calling him on it!!!
What a bunch of sheep!!!!
Why do Americans have to support something not natural. Gays want to be openly gay, okay.
But it is not a natural thing. Sex with the same sex in abnormal. The reproduction process takes a male and a female to reproduce offspring. Again 2 people of the same sex having sex is not normal and why are we teaching children that it is.
Anyone with a grade school education knows what marriage was meant for and it is a sad comment on America and where it is heading, fast.
Gay people should have the right to be gay, okay. But to start teaching children and America that is a normal thing, is wrong. Simply because it is not.
Why should America have to make something legal that is not natural. 2 people of the same sex being married. Why should we be teaching children that it okay and not odd? It is odd because it is not natural. The reproduction process takes a male and female and anyone with a grade school education knows what marriage was intended for. You can't called something normal when it is not. America is going to hell faster than any other time in history. Remember Roman fell apart from within.