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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No, CNN, his position was not evolving but that "marriage should be between a man and a woman". He said that in 2008. He is a flip flopper. Please call it what it is.
True polictican. Like everybody's naive enough to not notice the timing.
His position hasn't evolved, he was just keeping it in the closet. Why should he take a firm stand on a divisive issue if his party and the media weren't going to make him? 3.5 years into his presidency and they finally did. It will help energize his base and distract from the economy, so coming out might help him anyway.
I guess Mr. President needs the votes in November.
This country is going to Hell in a hand basket. Our only hope is Mitt Romney.
That's very little hope. I think I'll stick with Obama 2012.
lol. After Obama is reelected it will be another day. No armageddon, no meteor showers.
You have GOT to be kidding. How does his support of gay marriage impact you? Are you gay? If not, don't marry a woman and you should be all set.
Wow. This is so embarrassing. I am sorry to be the one to tell you this but "Hell" is an imaginary place that was invented to scare you and to ensure that you keep giving money to churches.
your and idiot
Treating people equally != country going to hell
There is no reason to be bias and close minded. People are people.
Proud to have a President who takes a stance for civil rights. Risky? Maybe – but a man is admired for his bravery, even in the face of adversity. History will remember this day just as history remembers the civil rights movement of the 1960's – discrimination is discrimination whether you are black, white, yellow, gay, or straight.
Thanks President Obama. Only a person with true leadership does what you've done. Stand up for what's right even if it could hurt you politically. Hat off to you Mr. President.
Mr. President, if you were familiar with our Almighty God's word in the Holy Bible, you would know that God, Himself, puts people into rulerships and also removes them. You didn't have to sell out to the disobedient to God, He would have kept you in power because of your sincere kindness and good works toward the people of your country. Now that you have absolutely defied our God, condoning absolute disobedience to God and disrespect for His own perfect design between a man and a woman, what do you think will happen now?
you obviously know nothing about the true GOD!
Such a narrow reading Bonnie. If you have the one true faith, then just hope your father or husband don't sell you into slavery (as the Bible allows).
The sun will come up tomorrow?
Thank you for making us Christians look like a bunch of judgmental basket cases
People who hide their prejudices behind their version of God and "God's words" make me ill.
He will become president again. Because he is good, kind and tolerent of a bunch of people who cannot prove the bible was written by God. The bible is a book written by men who wanted obedience to a church.
My guess is that your so called "God" will do nothing about it, people who use their religion as an excuse to hate may vote against him but America is at a 50/50 split over the issue. I'm willing to bet that this is not the only issue that will affect votes come november.
with your limited intelligence, you will probably find this hard to believe, but not everyone believes in your god. keep it to yourself.
so bonnie, if he remains the president for a second term can we then expect you to accept that god really isnt all that bothered about it?
Man the weather is nice outside!
Yes... and some people still think 2 different races should not marry...
An indication of a primitive life form is one who believes that their book or religion is the one right religion, and that their way is the one right way, with all of the other religions being wrong/incorrect.
About time! He just guaranteed his second term. Obama 2012 by a landslide.
I'm a sinner. I smoke cigarettes and defile my body. If you make me angry enough you'll hear words that have never been mentioned in Wikipedia. Gays are sinners. I'm no different from them. Sin is sin – PERIOD. Obama did the right thing.
I don't know who in their right mind would want to get married anyway. This is too far, however. Traditional marriage is worth preserving no matter how effed up it's become.
Bravo and Thank You Mr. President! You continue to show your courage by standing up for what is right, and fighting ignorance and bigotry.