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
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Post by: CNN's Eliott C. McLaughlin Filed under: Barack Obama • Civil Rights • District of Columbia • Gay and lesbian • Politics • U.S. |
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Mr. Obama and his flunkies must be getting REALLY desperate. I hope the gay community understands his comments and actions for what they are. His poll numbers are going down and he'll grasp any straw that he can.
Now, in essence, he is slapping the black community in their face. The Black community has always been his unconditional supporters even when they realize he's wrong on his policies and actions.
What will he flip-flop on next?! Any way the wind blows. With this man and his lapdogs, hypocrisy knows no bounds.
Hey Obama how about paying attention to the economy as a platform? Really you want to get into this social issue mess and pander to the 1%.
Thank you Mr. President !
If you don't believe in gay marriage, do what I do and don't marry someone of the same gender.
In the mean time, mind your own business and tend to your own sins.
You'll be much happier and so will everyone else.
That would be fine if I didn't have to pay for it.
And no, I don't think parents should get to take thousands of dollars in tax breaks for their germ ridden little nose pickers either.
Well said!
I have many gay friends, civil union is a right to have- but getting married is something complete different.
love all my gay friends what ever you decide in life i back you up no matter what- but doesn't mean I have to agree
with wanting to get married under G-D eyes.
You are NO friend if you don't support full equality for your friends. That's like saying, you can be my friend, just don't drink from the same water fountain as me.
Are all your best friends black, too?
Yes to Obama! Please try to remember that your religion is not my religion. Separation for church and state.
Thank you, Mr. President. You have shown great courage and leadership. Bravo!
If gay is ok then dont complain when i screw your 14yo daughters.
I apologize for my stupid comment
There is a difference between marriage between two consenting adults and an adult taking advantage of a child. If you used your brain, then perhaps you'd have the capacity to recognize the difference.
That's two completely different things. And the fact that your mind goes to that place says a lot about your character.
Gay marriage allows for adults to do what they want. Just because you don't agree with that, how does that make preying on 14 year olds okay?
I fail to see the correlation Mr. Pedophile.
What a moron what does that has to do with gay marriage? do it!, and someone in the jail with make you pay for it!
What does that even mean?? So ignorant.
We're talking about giving people rights, not taking them away. Sound logical? Probably not to you, unfortunately.
What happens between 2 consenting adults is none of your business. Child molestation is a completely different matter and is, and should always be a crime.
Dave – What the hell does being marrying the person you love got to do with child abuse. Oh wait, you must be from the south... stupid ignorant hick.
disgusting! You're just waiting for that law to be passed? Then your sick!
Good for you Mr. president! Some "patriots" seem to forget their pledge of allegiance. "..with liberty and justice for all"!
He has my vote. Equality for all. If you care about the sancity of marriage then you shouldn't be allowed to divorce.
So he only got your vote for standing for Gay Marriage???? Well he doesn't have my Vote. It's an insult to his own Marriage which leads one to believe. Is he in the closet? He shoots and He scores. What a Joke
The right call, more and more people agree, even those in the GOP are changing their tune. The country is so polarized that this may actually mobilize his base to get him re-elected. I don't think it hurts his chances at all today.
Finally, a president with the courage to go after bin Laden (less costly than billion dollar wars) and the sense to end bigotry and discrimination. The fascists won't like this...and will scream their hate speech and craziness. This might cost him the election....but unlike MITTENS....he has courage. Romney is a sorry excuse for a candidate. He stated he had a better record than Kennedy on gay rights...but that was back in the day when he wasn't a right winged wacko.
Well.... In Genesis, there is Adam, Eve, and 2 sons... now the humane race didn't end there, so logically Eve slept with her sons... so I guess that's evidence that the bible supports incest then
twices dont forget because of noah and his family, thats cousins then as well at least.
Well now that the rabbit is out of its Rabbit Hole. Mr. Prez has special interest to protect; It's about returning FAVORS or his little dirty little secrets will be revealed. What an insult to Marriage in this country. Morally it's Wrong and This Country will Pay including you Mr. SELL-OUT!! Boy George, George Clooney and John Travolta are SOO happy right now. HA
Gay marriage will be legal eventually. Those who don't like it can start getting over it now or continue kidding themselves that it's never going to happen.