It's official: Obama has reversed his longstanding position and announced today that he supports same-sex marriage. "I thought civil unions would be sufficient," he said in an ABC interview, before describing the evolution that led him to conclude that he was wrong about this position. "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."
This makes Obama the first president to stand up openly and explicitly in favor of gay marriage. But he didn't make this decision alone. He's had pressure from voters and his party, of course. But before making this decision he talked with three very important people. Michelle, Sasha, and Malia.
This is a subject the Obama family talked about around the dinner table. And when Sasha and Malia brought up friends of theirs with gay parents, it just didn't make sense to them that those parents should be treated any different from straight, married parents. "Frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective," the President admits.
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Obama also said he talked with Michelle before publicly changing his position, and that she feels the same way: "In the end the values that I care most deeply about and she cares most deeply about is how we treat other people." As Christians they feel that the Golden Rule is at the root of their belief. "And I think that’s what we try to impart to our kids and that’s what motivates me as president, and I figure the most consistent I can be in being true to those precepts, the better I’ll be as a dad and a husband and hopefully the better I’ll be as president.”
Wow -- I'm getting goosebumps just hearing this! Finally, Obama makes it crystal-clear what same-sex marriage is all about: FAMILY VALUES. Strong families like the Obamas supporting other strong families, no matter what they look like.
I know this statement means a lot to my gay friends -- especially the ones in long-term committed relationships. Their comments flowing on Facebook make me want to freakin' cry. "Go Mr. President, preach to me!" "In the aftermath of North Carolina, we needed this. Thank you Mr. President." "He did it! He did it! Wow ... Thanks, Mr. President!"
In his interview Obama makes it very clear that this is a personal opinion and that he still respects states' rights to make their own decisions -- like the decision North Carolina just made. But his statement is still an important milestone on America's path to equality. Today I am extremely proud of my President.
What did you think about President Obama's announcement?
Image via GMA/Yahoo
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Comments 76
*capitalism. sorry.
Good lord, his timing is for a very moneyed pro-gay Hollywood faction having a fundraiser here in LA today. It's a clear cut funding operation, and a way to scoop up youth and others who use the word evolving a lot, so repeating that he's 'diverting attention from the issues' is a tired old chestnut by now, no matter who uses it on either side to advance their agenda.
Gotta hand it to you, tho, you make and drink your own Kool-aid and stick to it — no flip-flopper or 'evolving' one are you!
To quote the always hilarious Seth Rogan..."Claiming that someone else's marriage is against your religion is like being angry at someone for eating a donut because your on a diet."
Seriously why does it matter to anyone if someone else is getting married, regardless of their race, religion, or sexual orientation? Marriage shouldn't be a right exclusive to straight couples it should be a HUMAN right. Gay marriage is in no way going to tarnish the union of marriage. Kudos to Mr Obama for coming out in support of this. Who cares when the announcement was made or how he did it, the only thing that matters is that it was made and its a step in the right direction.
I realize a lot of people will find countless other reason to not vote for Obama. However, if one of those reasons is because he is willing to give people equal rights, you seriously need to reevaluate your life
@Ponychaser - you're welcome! I do what I can to make people laugh. Remind me again, what exactly are Mitt Romney's policies and platforms? They change so frequently...day to day really. I can hardly keep up on whether he's for or against gay marriage, whether he's for or against equal pay for women or whether he was against the auto bailout or it was basically HIS IDEA!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/08/mitt-romney-auto-industry_n_1498520.html
Was it:
"Let Detroit go bankrupt."
or was it:
"I pushed the idea of a managed bankruptcy," Romney said. "And finally, when that was done, and help was given, the companies got back on their feet. So I'll take a lot of credit for the fact that this industry's come back."
And Obama is the flip-flopper? Puh-leaze!!!
Obama is a GRINO -- Gay Rights In Name Only
Obama has not “evolved”—he has changed his position whenever his political fortunes required him to do so.
Obama campaign slogan: "Dear God Anything But the Economy"
Or jobs. Or unemployment. Or inflation. Or rising energy costs. Or the deficit. Or national debt. Or gun-running. Et cetera: fill in the blank.
Is Dick Cheney President? LOL!
Guantanamo's open, unmanned drones are killing people, the Adminstration supports same-sex marriage
Oh Dr. Texasmama, I can hardly wait until November 6th*. Will you be here with me at the Stir that evening? I'll bring the cheese, you bring the whine.
(*because whatever way the vote swings, I'm going to laugh and laugh. If Myth Rmoney gets in, your country is royally hooped...so much for your Superpower status)