President Barack Obama's coming out in
favor of gay marriage is being cheered by gay rights groups.
In an interview with Good Morning
America anchor Robin Roberts, Obama said it was important for him
to speak out on the issue.
“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,” said
Obama. (The video is embedded in the right panel of this page.
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The president had previously said he
supported civil unions and was “evolving” on marriage for gay
couples.
The announcement comes just three days
after Vice President Joe Biden said he was “comfortable” with gay
couples marrying.
Herndon Graddick, president of the Gay
and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), cheered the move.
“The arc of history today bent a
little closer to equality for every American," said Graddick.
“After hearing the stories of countless couples and families,
President Obama has drawn the same conclusion shared across party
lines and by a majority of Americans today: everyone deserves the
opportunity to marry the person they love. As our nation draws
closer to a more perfect union in which every person is created
equal, we are left deeply encouraged by this truly watershed moment.”
Shannon Minter, legal director for the
National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR), added: “President Obama
has once again proven himself to be the strongest and most principled
supporter of full equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and
transgender people ever to occupy the Oval Office. As he has done on
so many other issues facing our community, the President showed his
great depth of compassion and respect for the struggles faced by
same-sex couples and their families and his commitment to genuine
equality and justice for all people. This is an unforgettable day in
our nation's history, and one that will bring enormous comfort and
hope to millions of Americans.”