At an LGBT Pride month reception held
at the White House on Wednesday, President Barack Obama said that
“marriage equality is about our civil rights.”
Before Obama could start his remarks, a
heckler protesting the detention and deportation of LGBT immigrants
interrupted the president.
“Listen, you're in my house,” Obama
responded.
“So as a general rule, I am just fine
with a few hecklers, but not when I'm up in the house,” he
explained after the heckle had been removed.
Obama told the crowd that he is closely
watching the decisions of the Supreme Court, one of which could lead
to nationwide marriage equality.
“However the decision comes down on
the marriage issue, one thing is undeniable: There has been this
incredible shift in attitudes across the country,” he said.
“When I became president, same-sex
marriage was legal in only two states. Today, it's legal in 37
states and the District of Columbia. A decade ago, politicians ran
against LGBT rights. Today, they're running towards them. Because
they've learned what the rest of the country knows: That marriage
equality is about our civil rights, and our firm belief that every
citizen should be treated equally under the law,” he added.