Politics & Government

President Obama Backs Gay Marriage. Do You?

The President tells ABC TV that his position has evolved over time and that he supports the rights of all couples to marry.

In a landmark statement, President Barack Obama became the first president to support same-sex marriage. His comments, shared in an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, were released Wednesday.

"I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally," Obama told Roberts, in an interview that was to air in full this morning on "Good Morning America."

The Huffington Post obtained a copy of the interview. Click here to see the president's response.

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On Sunday, Vice President Joseph Biden told NBC's "Meet The Press" that he personally supported same-sex marriage. Meanwhile on Tuesday evening, North Carolina passed an amendment that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

President Obama voiced disappointment with the decision in North Carolina. Wednesday, pressure from gay-rights activists began to build for Democrats to move the party's convention from Charlotte, where it will be held in August. Despite coming short of endorsing same-sex marriage before his comments to ABC, the President has overturned the military's position of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the administration has stopped defending the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman.

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Last year U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) joined Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and others to introduce legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

The “Respect for Marriage Act” would repeal DOMA and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples—including tens of thousands of same-sex couples—to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.  

Lautenberg praised Obama’s statement. 

"President Obama's support for marriage equality marks an important moment for civil rights in America. We simply can not treat same sex couples as second-class citizens in our country. Marriage equality is one of the most significant civil rights battles of our time and is critical to guaranteeing the equal protection under the law promised to every American in the Constitution. The President's support for marriage equality should inspire Congress, Governors and state legislatures to advance civil rights for all Americans." 

What do you think? Feel free to share your view on the issue in the comments below.

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