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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I don't agree with Mr obama, however I believe if two people live together they should receive equal benifits.
correct! and leave marriage alone for a man and a woman!
I now have the squirts.
It's a courageous man who can do the right thing despite the political cost he may have to pay. Bravo, Mr. President. You understand what freedom and democracy really mean.
I am not an Obama fan but I absolutely agree with you. Obama has earned my respect over this.
There will be no fallout on his part for Obama on this issue and this is political on his part. I voted for him in 2008 on the basis of positive change I believe would result. He has done nothing but put a wedge in every conceivable issue imaginable and this is the latest. I will hold my nose and vote for someone else this go around
This is the type of moral degradation that brought the once powerful rome down....nail in Obama's coffin
Actually it was apathy towards public office and a large empire that was maintained by direct control of the conquered. But I see how that could be easily confused...
He is just bowing to pressure I would like to hear his comments when he is talking privately to his wife!!!
95% gays on the blog today.....not sirprised!! Obama is such a liar, no real conviction. How ever the wind blows.
and 5% nincompoops
all the different religions can now come together & vote against obama LOL
This is a moral issue and the president should not let his daughters dictate morals to him. It is his job, as a father, to bring
them up with the right understanding of this and all other moral issues and if he does not do this who will teach them the
difference between right and wrong. This new stance, on his part, will certainly gain some votes for him but it will also
lose some for him. I can guarantee him one less vote.
You are correct. It is a moral issue. Morally, ALL HUMANS should be treated with respect and dignity, and this includes allowing them the freedom to marry one another, whether they are black, white, yellow, tan, male or female. Or have you not read the part of the bible where Jesus said "Love your neighbors as yourself"?
You are wrong! Light the republicans always point out, it is all about our children and grandchildren. Again, this grandmother knows you are way out.
I can't wait until the day gay marriage is legalized by the Supreme Court, and the Conservative crying ensues.
why should they care? what freakin difference does it really make?
The NC vote did not ban gay marriage....only confirmed that marriage definition is between a man and woman which has been recognized for generations. Why should a term be so important if gays couples are allowed all rights as married couples?
A president supporting equal rights? Well, I never..
He'll say anything to get elected.
so does this mean that my traditional marriage is void......no? so why should it make any difference to me or any one else?
Lol... yet another blunder. "All Americans need to be gay and atheist and have everything given to them..."
Can not wait til you're out, Mr. 'President'.
you put quotes around that like it is something someone said. No one is saying anything like that. in fact its just the opposite. how about we make a law that says that only jews are allowed to marry since they came up with the idea. how does that work for ya?
Further proof that only the ignorant vote Republican. Thank you, Obama, for slowly becoming one of the best Presidents in US history. I can only hope this cements your re-election.
thats good everybody should be able do what they want freely especially when it comes to marriage its a good thing now everybody can be equal and marry who they want