President Barrack Obama has declared his unequivocal support for same sex marriage in a historical interview on US television.
Just days after US Vice President announced that he was ‘absolutely comfortable’ with same sex marriage the President has ended speculation on his own position.
Speaking to Good Morning America President Obama said he had undergone an ‘evolution’ on the subject and said,
‘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.’
President Obama gave a personal view on his thoughts stating,
‘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.’
The President’s remarks are his personal view and he has stated that he will still respect the decisions of individual states. So far thirty US States have introduced laws to limit marriage to being only between a man and a woman. Yesterday voters in North Carolina showed overwhelming support for an addition to the state’s charter that effectively bans both civil unions and same-sex marriage.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) has welcomed the Presents announcement,
‘The arc of history today bent a little closer to equality for every American’, said GLAAD President Herndon Graddick in a statement. ‘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.’
Watch a segement of the interview below.
OIP Staff
