President Barack Obama said in an interview with ABC that "it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married."
With his Wednesday announcement, the president reversed his longstanding position on the issue. It came on the heels of his own vice president and education secretary saying they were in favor of gay marriage.
According to an ABC blog post, Obama further described his thought process as an "evolution" that progressed as he discussed the issue with staff members, gay and lesbian service members and his own family.
He said he thinks Americans are growing increasingly comfortable with the concept of gay marriage and cited his own daughters' views on the matter.
“It’s interesting, some of this is also generational,” he said. “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.”
Read CNN's full coverage of President Barack Obama's stance on gay marriage
Obama's War on America continues!
textee – Yeah, in your brain washed brain..
Mitt just scored a ton of new votes! ChaChing!!!!!
Jimmy – True, very true!! But it takes real guts to stand for the right thing and loose votes
OB is amazing... For the past 3 years you never saw the guy in church or praying but all of a sudden election year rolls around and he starts talking about his faith publicly, etc, no he supports gay marriages. Hilarious! He will say anything to get elected. Oops, I forgot, he's a politician.
Looks like the bible belt is over run by Taliban based on the anti obama comments.
Seriously. Not like the Taliban? They're quickly becoming them.
I applaud President Obama for having the courage to stand up to bigotry, even in an election year, and support equal treatment of all Americans under the civil law. It's about time.
The bigots and cretins who regularly populate the CNN message board can go rot.
Zoe79 gets it. I think lots of other folks will, too.
Wow. Being from North Carolina, I am proud to say .. THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.
you mean the Bible has spoken...don't you? That sort of tends to run your lives down in the 'ol South, no?
You mean the bible has spoken, don't you, since if you're not either Southern Baptist or Evangelist, you're a social pariah in the south.
Obama is only trying to get the Liberal vote in November. Fortunately this has sealed his fate as a 1 termer.
er, you dont think he already had the liberal vote then?
Liberal = Logic..if it is not logic you know what it is..if you don't ask your friends in Taliban
Way to chase those votes, Hussein!!!
What's your middle name, bob, since you seem to have a need to address folks by their middle name?
Hussein?? If your'e trying to be funny at least be original.
Bob – I just can't believe you..How brain washed are you to believe he is hussain..LOL..I now understand why there are suicide bombers/nazis/extremists..It is easy to brain wash people..
If you are a racist – Jesus said love the neighbor and NOT white neighbor or black neighbor..If you do not follow Jesus, as per you, you WILL go to HELL
Thank you "Malia and Sasha" that is what it will come to. The children will be the change we need to become equal. Again it is evolution and there is nothing that anyone can do about that.
de-evolution?
basically Obama is saying North Carolina got it wrong. he'll sure get my vote now
The stranglehold that Christianity had on the psyche of this country is finally losing its grip. Pay attention folks because this is history. This is something your grand kids should not only be told but will actually live and experience. They or their kids will grow into a world where Christianity is a fringe minority cult rather than the all consuming power house it is today. In less than a hundred years this may come to pass.
No. Christ will come back and destroy all evil people, and set up His rule on earth where obedience to and worship of Him will be the order of the day. Christianity will rule, and finally there will be righteousness, peace and prosperity with no war on this planet.
Good Lord, CNN.
THIS.IS.NOT.BREAKING.NEWS.
Not breaking news?? Uhhh...what planet are you from again?
Thank you President Obama! As he said his position on this has EVOLVED... something the haters of the world should think about as well. I do not get it?... Why do people have to HATE gay people? and by saying you don't hate gay people, your just aganist Gays being married is a lie... just admit you hate them and try and deal with why you do? Don't lie, just be honest and try to not hating.
Flashback from Obama in 2004: “Well, what I believe is that marriage is between a man and a woman."