President Obama hinted that he's
evolving on gay marriage in a rare interview Wednesday with members
of the gay media.
When
asked by Joe Sudbay of the gay blog Americablog his opinion on
gay marriage, Obama reiterated his support for civil unions, not
marriage, for gay and lesbian couples, but added that it's an issue
“I think a lot about.”
“I have been to this point unwilling
to sign on to same-sex marriage primarily because of my
understandings of the traditional definitions of marriage,” Obama
answered.
“But I also think you're right that
attitudes evolve, including mine.”
“And I think that it is an issue that
I wrestle and think about because I have a whole host of friends who
are in gay partnerships. I have staff members who are in committed,
monogamous relationships, who are raising children, who are wonderful
parents.”
“I think it's fair to say that it's
something that I think a lot about,” he added.
Obama
also rejected the claim by some gay rights leaders that he's lukewarm
on repeal of “Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and gay rights, saying, “I
don't think the disillusionment is justified.”