Obama On Gay Marriage: Same Sex Couples Should Be Able To Get Married
President Obama has sent mixed messages about gay marriage over the course of his presidency. As more states pass measures to legalize same sex marriage, and more states pass bans on gay marriage, it’s becoming more important for the President to clarify his stance.
Today, in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, President Obama said that he believes that gay couples should be allowed to get married.
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors. When I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together. When I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage. At a certain point I’ve just concluded that 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.”
The entire Obama administration seems to be coming around to the idea of same sex marriages. Earlier this week Vice President Joe Biden said that he was absolutely comfortable with gay marriage. Education Secretary Arne Duncan also said that he believed that same sex couples should have the right to marry.
The Huffington Post notes that Obama’s comments on gay marriage will likely win him support from gay rights groups. But the president could see his numbers drop in key states like North Carolina.
Obama said that the debate over gay marriage doesn’t seem like a debate between Democrats and Republicans, but a debate between different generations. Obama said that he’s met several young Republicans who disagree with many of his policies, but agree that same sex marriage should be legalized.
Obama said:
“It’s interesting, some of this is also generational. You know when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same sex equality or, you know, believe in equality. They are much more comfortable with it. 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.”
Several politicians have already come out in support of President Obama’s message. New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg said:
“This is a major turning point in the history of American civil rights. No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people – and I have no doubt that this will be no exception. The march of freedom that has sustained our country since the Revolution of 1776 continues, and no matter what setbacks may occur in a given state, freedom will triumph over fear and equality will prevail over exclusion. Today’s announcement is a testament to the President’s convictions, and it builds on the courageous stands that so many Americans have taken over the years on behalf of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, stretching back to the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.”
What do you think about President Obama’s comments on gay marriage?
Here’s a video of Obama’s statement on gay marriage.
Tags : gay marriage, obama gay marriage, President Obama, president obama gay marriage, same sex couples, same sex marriage
Posted: May 9, 2012
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May 9, 2012
hes says obama says he thinks gay should be able to wed… but can he make states change thier laws?
May 9, 2012
No Robin, presidents don't make laws, the people do, under the guise of our legislators in congress. The president can veto a law, so who is president does matter, but what matters more is that we the people need to start voting the right people both in and out of office so they will vote OUR way, and not the way of the highest bidder
May 9, 2012
Who are we to judge who partner who? I'm a Christian but Im not God or perfect so I don't have that right to judge who a choose as partner. If they ar happy it is all good.
May 9, 2012
I am happy he is affirming his thoughts about Gay Marriage. I agree with him. My marriage will be 35 years old this June> We are a straight heterosexual couple who know what it takes to be married, and how sad it would be if we had not been allowed to be married for ANY reason. I was raised Catholic by parents who are still married after 57 years, and when someone is in love with another human being and willing to go through life's good times and bad times "till death do you part" it is a good thing. Now, if only all the heterosexuals who are contemplating divorce would imagine a time where they were "the ones" who were being discriminated against, and not allowed to get married to the one they promised to stay with….just saying.
May 9, 2012
I think this should b passed.. everyone just wants someone to love n love them.. who cares if its same sex…
May 9, 2012
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Like if you agree that the first amendment applies to marriage, and that means any person can marry another person as long as they aren't already married and of consenting age.
May 9, 2012
DITTO! Just celebrated our 34 anniversary~~why shouldn't the LGBT have these same rights?! I am so PROUD OF OUR PRESIDENT!! <3
May 9, 2012
I am very happy to hear that the president has found his testicles. It is about time he stood up for freedom and equality. The church can ban them all it wants, but the government should not be able to discriminate for ANY reason..
May 9, 2012
We are at a great precipice in the development of our country. Drastic changes must be made to ensure our survival. People do not seem to realize that we are not the country we once were. In many ways this is good but in many ways this is detrimental. It is detrimental because though there are groups that still care about the country, many of us have just given up on it and do not exercise our rights to fight for freedom and change; the backbone of our country. It is time for a reevaluation of our goals as a people. We need to make drastic changes and regain our position in the world as a leader and champion of change for the better and for true freedom. This will only be done by us getting rid of our old way of thinking and fighting for change. It is time, once again, for a revolution.
The legalization of Gay Marriage is needed but there are so many other things that must come with it. Civil Rights are going to be a key player in the future development of our nation but there must also be change in our policies and our way of thinking. We are still banking on our bad ass on the block image and our old "get with the program or else" attitude is no longer a viable option for us. The rest of the world is growing and becoming more powerful and they are starting to call bullshit!
Our dependency on foreign oil and fossil fuels in general is another issue. We need to move to being a Green Country and we need to stop going overseas and sticking our noses in places where they don't belong. We need to invest in ourselves and our futures. It is tragic to hear about starving or abused children overseas but we must address our own at home first. We need to thank our former leaders for their service and for the lessons they have taught us on the wrong, and at times, right way to do things, but it is time for them to step down. The youth of the nation must rise up and be heard. We must demand change. It is our turn to take the reigns and guide this nation back to its state of glory. We must guide it to embrace true freedom and not the distorted view of freedom it is today. The time for discussions is over. It is time for ACTION.
May 9, 2012
I have always been for gay marriages. Good for the President.
May 9, 2012
Now if the States would make the realization that people will love who they love and they should not be denied the right to marry.
May 9, 2012
Awesome! Now lets just fill in the blank and allow them to get married. Keep it equal for all.
May 10, 2012
such a classy picture for the President of the United States!
May 10, 2012
such a classy picture for the President of the United States!
May 10, 2012
oops flipped again, guess he needs those votes.
May 10, 2012
dont re-nig in 2012
May 10, 2012
I just saw an article with the headline that Obama said his daughters changed his mind on same sex couples getting married. Wow, now the man is blaming his daughter!
May 10, 2012
lmao
May 10, 2012
Just want the same rights
May 10, 2012
Denise: I like Obama, but does not mean what ever he endorse is worthwhile. It's just a election stunt. I am very liberal in many ways but when it comes to marriage, true marriage is between men and women.
May 10, 2012
he needs votes so lets go after the gay community, who carss if they forget the real issues.
May 10, 2012
I think this would hurt him, considering there are so many Obama haters out here that spread weird rumors about him – another thing to complain about. I think it's a good move personally – you can't help how you feel inside (I personally believe people are born that way – why would you CHOOSE to be that way and be looked down on by society?) and gay marriage isn't hurting me or anybody else in any way.
May 12, 2012
So what do you as a christian suggest we do with the scripture in the book of Leviticus 19:15? That says "Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgement:thou shalt not respect the person of the poor,nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor". so what do we do just tare it out of the book? Now before we go that far should we consider that the beginning of the chapter at all? That says "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying speak unto the children of Israel,and say unto them,Ye shall be holy:for I the Lord your GOD am holy.Now If you or any other christian can show me where God changed his mind I will agree with you all an not judge any body.Until then I righteously judge that even being gay is wrong must less gay marriage.If you are a christian I urge you to not only read your Bible but study and meditate there in what thus saith the Lord.And not what your Parent and preachers said.After all neither of them created the world,heaven or hell.Nether do they have power to turn you over to ether of them for an eternity.Remember when you go before the judgement seat of GOD what you think and feel is right don't amount to a hill of beans.Rather it's what thus saith the Lord GOD Almighty.
May 12, 2012
Being heterosexual is no condemned by GOD but being homosexual is.There's a difference between the two one is sick demented and un-natural while the other is healthy,wholesome natural.
May 12, 2012
It is the same bible that says he who that have no sins should cast the first stone. Every human being have a bone in the closets so for me any one for that matter to start throwing the first stone at someone else love life or who they fall in love is a hypocritical thing to do. The same bible said thy shall not judge or pass judgment. I don't have the power to judge any man because I myself will be judge some day. And most of all I am so not God I make mistakes I still have flaws so I ain't perfect.
May 12, 2012
Henry Malcom but we are not to judge those who God made either, and homosexuality is a human condition across the world and has been and always will be…and what is pornography that so many heterosexual people participate in? That's what is really the unhealthy practice of human sexuality…heterosexuals are perverted too, if that is what we are talking about. Take it all the way back to Adam and Eve..God did not condone sexual activity but it happened and later incest even happened with Adam and Eve's off spring…how perverted is that? There are many parts of the Bible that speak to our times and days and many in the world pick and choose which is valid for them but many have not ever picked up a Bible in their lifetime and those who have are to be the light for them. We are not to judge as we are not God, but loving one another and not casting stones is how we teach others to be good.
May 12, 2012
Denise Espinosa Leviticus 19:15 says we are not to use unrighteousness in our judgement Old testament.New testament Luke 11:42 ye pass over judgement and the love of GOD.I know of 53 or more verses in the Bible that tells us to judge in the righteousness of GOD.Question: If your 9,10,11 yr old child wanted to hang out with people they thought were cool but you knew to be criminal and delinquent do you use judgement for your chill and refuse the childs wish or do you say I can't choose my childs friends for him/he.If a slut was daily sharing the company of your husband alone do your judgement tell you that no good can come of it or do you say oh that's just his friend they not doing anything?Let's be real we have to use judgement in everything we do .GOD only ask us to us righteous judgement which He give us guide in HIS Law,Statutes,Commandments and judgement which are all in the Bible.Most people working in the pron industry are not heterosexual and yes it's perverted.However the first commandment that GOD gave the the man and woman when he put them together was to be fruitful and multiply,in slang go knock some boots.A closer study in the Bible tell us that Adam and Eve was not the only people on earth.A slight hint is when Cain is cast out of the garden and he pleads that he would be a vagabond in the earth and everyone that finds him would slay him then he goes one and marries a woman he already knew.Just forwarding the words of the Bible.GOD being the same yesterday today and forever HE left Sodom and Gomorrah as example to how HE ultimately deals with such life style.
May 13, 2012
As president- your supposed to be for the people, sex with any one is a choice, I do not want, and its my right to freedom of speech, not to see same sex in publi. I am not judging anyone personally, I am however against anyone trying to destroy the sanctity of Real Marriage between a man and a woman. Obama would have never said what he said if he didn't think he was going to loose the next election. The Real Issue is getting ride of all the Free Riders on Welfare and all the idiots in Washington…. If you want to believe the Gay rights are an issue, then please vote.
May 13, 2012
Gays are the people, too. And if they want to marry, it certainly doesn't hurt MY marriage in any way and is not destroying anything. I don't think we should have to "vote" for them to marry – it should be a RIGHT and being equal.
May 14, 2012
No.
May 14, 2012
Hate is not holy. Love is. Who are we to say who God wants us to love? God have mercy on your judgemental people!
May 20, 2012
you do relise that is the old testiment and you just proved you didnt fully read the bible John 3:16
Also in that same book it tells we chould kill gays. so why arent we christians killing. you can follow the bible to a tee if u want but im not a murder
May 20, 2012
@henry the bible also say we should kill gays . . . should we make that a law?
May 20, 2012
Douglas Henry you sire didnt read ur bible good enough? 2 Timothy 2:24–25 1 Corinthians 16:14
also you do realise that our version of marriage works for christains only there are other kinds of marriage in this world . . . go to a commuinist country if u cant stand freedom that much
May 20, 2012
also since when cant a sinner go to heaven? thought u read your bible henry ? john 3:16 yet again
May 20, 2012
If you're saying that Satan, devilish people and their abominable behavior will go into the kingdom of God because of John 3:16 then it shows that you don't understand what you have read.For whosoever believes in YAHAWASHI shall not perish.If you believe in Him you will keep His commandments which is not His but the Father who sent Him,and He testified that if you break the least of the commandment you break them all.As you recall the scrip testafies that YAHWEH is the same yesterday,today and forever.He change not. Be it olden times or modern. His moral laws remain the same.But if the Devil is your farther his works you will do,for darkness have no part with light. But sense this is a Burger King world you have the right to have it your way.When the day come that YAHAWASHI says get away from me I never knew you I sure He'll be talking to the people who profess to believe in Him yet persisted in their abominable behaviors.No! every body is not going to Heaven,why else would he create Hell? Somebody got to go.
May 20, 2012
If you can't help how you feel,why is it that people can say I don't like/love you no more.Have they not change what they feel inside?
May 20, 2012
It amaze me to witness the sheer number of people that excuse the fact that by the mouth of Malachi YAHWEH testifies HIM self that HE hated Esau and make the unfounded claim that He loves everybody.Read Malachi 1:2-3. It's the book just before Mathew.Notice this is the word of the Lord.Not your church home preacher or some televangelist but the word of the LORD.God hates as well as love,so much so that He created hell that evil people will be tormented forever and ever.Now that's some powerful hate.Barbara you really need to rethink/reexamine your indoctrinated disposition.We were all taught this same lie.Personally;it's your soul salvation at stake here and you have the choice to believe the truth or the lie.Come on, crack open the book and search it out for yourself shorty,don't leave such an important event in the hands of some one eles when you know the people in this world will tell a lie with every breath.think about the soul salvation of the little boy that you hold in your arms.
May 20, 2012
I am not a murder nevertheless Im not a bully to choose people partners whoever a man or woman woman date is up to them. I am not here to force my religious beliefs on no man.
May 20, 2012
god already told you who to love =) people just didnt pay attention
May 21, 2012
Thats why we live in a Democracy, I vote NO. Its not an issue of effect, its wrong. My Right to Freedom of Speech, Please respect it, Love Douglas