Time Magazine may have the “most controversial cover” title this week, but Newsweek isn’t too far behind. Newsweek called President Obama the United States’ first gay president this week in light of the president’s recent support of gay marriage.
Newsweek puts Obama under a rainbow halo on the new cover. (The CS Monitor notes that Obama is also on a rainbow themed cover of the New Yorker.)
But being the “first gay president” may not help (or hurt) the president come election season. Rep. Barney Frank, the first openly gay member of congress, said:
“If you were going to cast your vote based on a candidate’s position regarding same-sex marriage, you were already going to vote for Obama [or] Romney based on that. I literally don’t think anybody’s vote was changed by this one way or the other.”
The Inquisitr reported earlier this week that Obama’s stance on gay marriage may have a negative impact on his campaign. A recent Gallup poll showed that 26% of voters were less likely to vote for Obama due to his support of gay marriage. 60% said that it made no difference and 13% said that they were more likely to vote for him.
Obama’s support of gay marriage may not help him win an election, but according to the Newsweek story, it has comforted thousands of LGBT people around the country.
Andrew Sullivan, the openly gay writer who penned the Newsweek story, wrote on his blog last week.
“Let me simply say: I think of all the gay kids out there who now know they have their president on their side. I think of Maurice Sendak, who just died, whose decades-long relationship was never given the respect it deserved. I think of the centuries and decades in which gay people found it impossible to believe that marriage and inclusion in their own families was possible for them, so crushed were they by the weight of social and religious pressure. I think of all those in the plague years shut out of hospital rooms, thrown out of apartments, written out of wills, treated like human garbage because they loved another human being. I think of Frank Kameny. I think of the gay parents who now feel their president is behind their sacrifices and their love for their children.”
Do you think Obama is the “first gay president?” Does his stance on gay marriage change your opinion about him?
just because you support gay marriage does not make you gay. that's just crazy.
I'm sorry but that just pisses me off to assume that. I support gay marriage. I am 100% straight. a person cant help whom he or she falls in love with.
wow, okay, I still won't vote for him if he's gay or not. it doesn't matter.
oh no…i am not saying i will vote for him…no way…lol
About time. I doubt it will affect the election one way or the other, though there's a chance it might actually improve his support. The powerful anti-Gay marriage contingent wasn't going to vote for him anyway… and really, does anyone believe he's actually gay? Really? Seriously?
What it should say is…the first President with balls! To stand up and say what he stands for…Love you President Obama…you have my vote and the rest of all my family! God Bless you and your beautiful family…
'Michelle Clark Wright no, but you are right, if you support gays it doesn't make you one. my sister was bi-sexual for awhile but she's finally met a man that makes her happy and i'm happy for her.
I agree with you, but not crazy. Stupid!
WOW!
I will not buy another Newsweek EVER! This is a disgrace! Obama is not a gay President. Instead, he supported the civil rights of all Americans. His stand, more accurately, is that Gay citizens have a right to marry in a civil ceremony. At the same time, he is upholding the separation of Church and State. The Church, still has it's right to deny Holy marriage or the blessing of gay couples union according to the teachings of the Bible. To write such an article without telling the whole story is unforgivable! You have take a great step taken by President Obama and turned it into a ugly tale for sensationalism. It is my prayer that you feel the wrath of God for He too is not pleased.
Marilyn Armstrong yeah stupid is the word i should have used…or ignorant
NEWSWEEK SHOULD BE ASHAMED, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS SAD BIGOTED COUNTRY! I WILL BE VOTING FOR THE FIRST TIME, NO IM NOT GAY BUT MY BELOVED SON IS AND HE AND HIS PARTNER HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR YRS AND FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY SONS LIFE HE IS HAPPY! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT, NOTHING, GET WITH IT AMERICA, GO AFTER ALL THE STRAIGHT MARRIAGES FULL OF ABUSE AND TORMENT AND LEAVE THE OTHERS BE!
I like and respect him even more.
ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE…
How do you know what God is thinking?
Actually there WAs that guy who claimed obama had sex with him in Chicago when he was a senator….
They said that Bill Clinton was our 1st black President; they are implying his stance not his sexual makeup, crimey and with a wife and two children.
what does the way you practice your religion have to do with the CIVIL rights of others?
and if it was true, all the outfits would be headlining that story
I wasn't going to vote for him anyway, and the fact that he only stated his PERSONAL support makes this weak, IMO. He didn't stop discharges under DADT before it was declared unconstitutional/repealed, though he could have. He could sign the Executive Order on his desk banning discrimination under federal contracts, but he hasn't. He could direct the DOJ to file amicus curiae briefs in every state in which gay marriage bans are being challenged, but he hasn't. Pretty weak supporter of LGBT rights, IMO. And I am a straight married man.
I don't agree on same-sex marriage!!! I will not be voting this time for NO president! Why vote, is useless….
Mr. Dowden, I know God because of my relationship with Him, being a witness of the miracles that he has performed in my life. I am here today because of God thru His son Jesus Christ. In 1979 a doctor at Baptist hospital called my mother and told her to get to Miami as soon as possible because I would not make it through the night. My mother told the doctor that God had not told her that. I did die and will never forget that feeling of total and complete peace and happiness. It was not my time, not because of me but because of His will. I know, without doubt how much He loves each and everyone of us, both straight and gay. Most importantly, I know by His example. He never forced His will on anyone. As Jesus states… Give unto Ceaser that which is Ceaser's (government) and give unto God that which is God's. The Church has it's right and obligation to follow the tenants of the Church and teachings of the Bible. The government has a duty to uphold the rights of all citizens as is written in the Civil Rights Law.
The Presidents stand on marriage gives the due respect to both. So Mr. Dowden, I know what God is thinking, feeling and doing. People, the weather, and seasons will change but He is the only constant that never changes.
Lesley Dowden They havent headlined hardly anything unless they are forced to. Fast and Furious was almost a year old before they picked up on it. The media put the golden boy in office, they willl remain the loyal left wing lapdogs they have always been.
Just knew it cause he is everything welcome to the CHANGE!
Well, If he is or not the truth is that he wasn't born that way like most would like for you to think. 1 Corinthians Chapter 6 verse 9-10 say's so.If they were then don't you think that God wouldn't put such a stern warning to such. Hummmmm! Make all the excuses you want people….we will see in the end cause it will soon be here! It is a life style that a person chooses to live just to get off.Like some like it big, white, black and even some are into animals.But I guess the animal thing is wrong and your right……… I call it like it is and if you can't handle that then the majority can find you a country you can be happy in.For God sake why do people have to be so perverted. Will I vote for O'bama if he is? The answer is I wouldn't vote for the commie bastard in any way shape or form.He is an evil man and I wouldn't let him or trust him to carry on a conversation with anyone I know.For all you gay people out there:God does love you and would like to see you turn from your evil ways and if you don't turn the scriptures says that you will burn just like Sodom…..
Funny!
Any reports coming from that man would not surprise me one little bit!! lol And Lesley Dowden,there have been and are several reports that this man that has came out but the mainstream media will not report on because they don't want anyone picking on their little president.He has them in their back pocket.One example is The Bill O'raily and Glenn Beck thing,why do you suppose they don't do anything together anymore.One is they we're threatened and believe it or not they we're paid off by yours truly.Just like his preacher when he was running for president,he was paid 150,000.00 just to keep quiet wile he was running.The list goes on and on…….They have enough on this president to put him behind bars and throw away the keys.This summer is going to get real ugly and the closer we get to the elections the more uglier its going to get.If he can't get re-elected and the fear of him losing just watch him remove the elections for 2012.He's a dictator now and all the laws he's been working on for the last three years and has passed the he has the right to do so.We have lost our freedom under him and if you think I'm lie'n to you then time will tell you I'm not.All you people wanted Hope and Change and all I can say is that you got it so enjoy!!!!
About 5% of American are gay, and about 2% of the house parliament, both party have gay supporters, Obama not suppose to be bias he is for the people, not everyone will like the decisions he make, but he have to show support to all the people of the United State of America, that don't make the man gay….small minded people needs to grow the hell up.
I have to vote for him! Look at what he is running against? I want to see Romney's swiss bank account! And have it taxed! Why won't he show us his W2'S… and… Being gay is not a choice….
Lesley Dowden Tell the truth . . . it was no "they" only one person with a comment to my comment. It was "his" opinion. But if that's your interpretation, so be it.
Rachelle, if you think God will shed his wrath on those of us who believe in old fashioned marriage. YOU better read that Bible some more. It says "for a man to lie with a man… is a detestable thing to God". We live in a world that is close to Babylon and other ancient perverted nations. Did you not read what God thought of this practice when he destroyed those in ancient times. I didn't like Obama to begin with, but you couldn''t ever get me to vote for him. Same sex marriage has nothing to do w/ civil rights. Just debased humans.
Being a president is not an easy task, he have hard decisions to make and this is one of them, but who are we to judge.
Harriett Underwood the bible also says to stone all those who are not virgins, that a woman has to marry her rapist, a man has to marry his brohters widow, you should stone anyone who doesn't keep the sabath holy are you going to lobby for legislatin to uphold those codits as well?
Harriett Underwood You are a sick lady. Get some help…..
"Spanish fly"? Really???
Harriet you have stretched my comment to Newsweek to you and like-minded people. That is not what I stated at all. I clearly gave a distinction between the Church's stand according to the Bible and laws of the Church versus the civil rights of every human being. I had not "better" read the Bible because I do everyday so you are out of line. God is Love for everybody, both straight and gay. He gives us the freedom to choose which path we will take. The issue in civil discussion, is that the President supports the civil rights of everyone… a civil union for gays and the Church's right to not approve or bless gay unions in marriage. This does not make him a Gay President as the magazine states. For 400 years, Americans used the Bible to justify slavery when the story of Moses clearly shows that God was and is against slavery. People see what they want to see and interpret what is written as they want it to be as you have done. If you took the negative feelings out, you would have seen that I said the same thing… two separate entities, civil rights which you had a birth and I got later, and the Church's right to say no to this type of union because of God's law. They are two separate things. I could really care less how you feel about Obama and would never try to convince you or anyone else to vote for him… again you were way off base. Voting is a private matter. Your bitterness came though clearly and blinded you to the meaning of what I wrote. To think that I would try to change you or anyone else sets an importance on yourself that I do not share. My comment was to Newsweek, not to you or anyone else other than where I specified a comment in reply to someone by name. You had an agenda and it did not work on me. God has not made the day when you are the like can make me feel badly…The Civil Rights bill gave me a voice… I will not be silenced. God loves me… neither of which you can take away.
as Joshua implied I'm blown away that anyone able to get paid $5835 in four weeks on the internet. did you read this website.
MakeCash10.comONLY
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
@ Harriette Underwood…How do you know what God is thinking also…better yet, how did the people who wroter the Bible know what God was thinking? This is why separation between church and state is not only important, but essential. Saying two people getting married is against your religion is like getting mad at someone for eating a donut while your on a diet. Organized religion is a system of control. Keep your spiritual beliefs to yourself. Leave people alone to be happy and prosper with one and another, and if its wrong, let God sort it out.
Harriett Underwood,I am right behind you on everything you have said, You couldnt have said it any better,
Titus 2:12
King James Version (KJV)
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
Homosexality is one of the most ungodly lust of all, we are commanded to live holy, what is holy about same sex having sexuality relations.
<< Leviticus 18:22 >>
"'Do not lie with a man as one lies with a woman; that is detestable.
How difficult is that to understand what God is saying about homosexuality, are you people so blind and stupid that you cant comprende What God has commanded he is against, It is an abomination, it is disgusting, wake up people and quit reading what you want it to be. God loves the homosexual but he hates the sin, He has come as a lamb, he is waiting to forgive if only you repent of your sin, your immorailty. but when he comes back, it will be as a lion to judge the world in their sins who have refuse to repent and turn from them.
This is so disrespectful, to him and his family. If he was gay, whatever none of my or anyone else's business, but he is a married man. This is so rude.
Who cares? I don't care if he's gay or not, I just care whether he can do the job. He can't, so I hope he loses the election. His lukewarm support for gays won't be what history remembers.
Leslie Long I will refer you to my earlier posts ask ask again…..what is so special about that particular edict that you harp on that particular one but ignore others? cherry pick much?
Lesley Dowden ,if you read the bible,you will know wht GOD thinking…
Mickie Lynn Halley – I agree they never want to talk about those things and Jesus talks more about the SIN OF DIVORCE let out law that!!! again they cherry pick… We all sin and do it everyday, God did give us FREE WILL! And we all know that we will be judged, what about…
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.
Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?
They forgets these when throwing stones !!!
Well said and very well put, thank you for that, and God bless you!
Harriett Underwood the bible ALSO states that it is an unforgivable sin to "lie" with a woman who is menstruating… and that she should "leave" the shared dwelling during such times… are you kidding me??? what the hell happened to simple logic and reasoning here?
Georgia Kennedy thats whats wrong with this country everyone judges yet have never ever lived in those shoes of the ones they judge, too many Hypocritical people and hate in this nation, its so sad!
i believe marriage should be between a man and a woman, and another woman, and yet another woman
I love my husband to death. I don't think that their is anything wrong with supporting gay marriages. They are people just like us and you know what I think that they should have the same rights as a married couple does. They should be able to speak for their partner in the case of an accident when the partner can't because chances are who knows them better then anyone their partner. I think that they should have the same thinks as straight people they should be able to marry the one they love. We don't have arranged marriages anymore because that wasn't fair you didn't know if you were ever going to be able to get along with that person well a gay couple found someone they can get alone with and no we are telling them that they can't get married. Who are we to tell them it is wrong to love that person because you are the same sex as them. If you don't like it look the other way no one is telling you that you have to approve of it but damn let them be happy and get married. And just so you know I think it would be great if I could see my uncle who has been with his partner for 42 years now get married. He has been with his partner longer then most of you people who are saying that it isn't right have been with yours so what now.
Harriett Underwood It also says that any one that works on the Sabbeth should be put to death yet that is when preachers and priests do most of their work. So kill all preachers and priest if we are to take things as the bible says.
Mickie Lynn Halley , isnt what we are talking about same sex relationships? what are you talking about?
Harriett Underwood seriously civil rights have nothing todo with same sex marriage…Go back to school, and that "bible" yu talk about is word of man, not God……God would not wnt you to treat other people just because of their sexual orientation…Its people like you thats wrong with this world!!!!!!!!!!!
obama doesnt want your vote harriett,
Newsweek wasn't being mean with this cover, read that article
Jamie Schulte , You are wrong in your statement jamie, Read what God says about homosexuality, we are too be pure with our bodies, that is distestable, gross and downright disgusting, We Christians are not treating the homosexuals bad as you put it, we are giving them the Word of God and nothing more, It's people like you that is sending this world into the Hands of the Living God who will judge this nation for what it has allowed, such homosexuality and abortion.
Leslie Long what we are talking about is cherry picking bible verses in order to codify religeous beliefs. My question is why that particular verse? are you going to have the entirty of the bible codified into law? Or just the parts that you agree with?
first, so-called Black president, first jewish president, now first gay president. this guy tries to be all things to all people. He is a phoney. can't stand him. Can't even look at him since 2008 when he came into office and appointed the very jerks who destroyed the world economy to "fix" the economy. The coup de grace was his participation in the invasion and murder of Gadhaffi. He is a war monger of the first order. I hate his guts.