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 will air in full Thursday morning on "Good Morning America."
The Huffington Post obtained a copy of the interview. Click here to see the president's response.
Steven Goldstein, Garden State Equality Chair, was exuberant in his response.
"I am overwhelmed with tears of joy, as our millions of other LGBT people and our millions of allies across America," he said. "We will remember for the rest of our lives where we were when we heard the sitting President of the United States say he supports marriage equality.
"Today’s announcement by the President is of particular importance to those of us fighting in New Jersey and everywhere else marriage equality is up for grabs. No longer will opponents such as Governor Chris Christie be able to take cover by saying, 'Why are you going after me? My opposition to marriage equality is simply the same view as that of our President.'”
Realtor, actress, and blogger Erica Bradshaw of North Plainfield was glad to hear the news.
"We're really pleased and happy with President Obama's decision," she told Patch. Bradshaw and her partner Tevonda Hayes Bradshaw have participated in a lawsuit against the state for marriage equality. Bradshaw pointed out that her one-year old son — Teverico Barack — bears the President's first name as his middle name.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has made it clear that he opposes same-sex marriage. The President's statement is an evolution of his stated position as he campaigned and earned the presidency. It also comes on the heels of two scenarios that unfolded this week.
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 activist began to build for Democrats to move the party's convention from Charlotte, where it will be held in August. Depite 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.
U.S. Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) 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."
"Short of when America becomes a land of marriage equality, this is the happiest day of our political lives. I'm on Cloud 18," added Goldstein.
What do you think? Take our poll and post a comment to share your view on the issue.
Upon what great thinker, school of thought or authority do you base your moral position? If it's just personal, and the larger society doesn't share your moral position, then please consider that your homosexual rights advocacy impinges upon the values that many others hold dear. The larger society doesn't have to accept what it believes will undermine it.
Tom, the fear of marriage is real. It doesn't mean you and your partner shouldn't get married. I recommend you and your partner speak to a marriage counselor. Even though gay marriage isn't legally allowed yet in this state the theories and issues that arise from marriage are very similar in homosexual relationships. See Tom that would be the government infringing on your rights. Forcing you to marry someone you do not want to marry. Thankfully that's not what is being discussed. We are discussing that if two consensual adults want to marry and receives the benefits of marriage granted by the federal and state governments of this country than the issue of their gender should not matter.
I’ve already made it clear that I think the tax code stinks. I wouldn’t mind at all if homosexual couples got better treatment from the IRS. Marriage is a loaded word, though. I personally don't want or need to know what everyone is doing in their private lives. But when you go after something that carries as much tradition and religious freight as marriage, you’re going to meet resistance. There will be bigotry, resentment and other antisocial feelings as long as people act out and get in each other’s faces. Modesty goes a long way toward building social harmony.
What really interests me is your comment: NO ONE's religion holds a candle to the governments job to protect people's civil rights. So, you think that it is government's role to shape society and not the other way around. Pardon me, but governments come and go. Society ... people ... just want to be left alone to live their lives as they choose. If you want government to put its boot on the neck of society to accept you, that's fine. I just doubt that the majority of citizens share your philosophy.
As for the myriad government agencies, that only creates a nation of government dependents with less personal freedom and sovereignty.
This is why I said before that there will be bigotry, resentment and other antisocial feelings as long as people act out and get in each other’s faces. Modesty goes a long way toward building social harmony.
Keep fighting your fight, Derek, and please realize I have nothing against you personally.
I am puzzled. What are you deprived of, apart from equal treatment with respect to taxes and health benefits?
As for deprivation: I won't ever feel deprived of anything I want. I am happily married, have a great family and fantastic friends as well as loyal business customers; I am happy, fulfilled, compassionate and generous. The fact that the government see's me as less than deserving of equal rights will never define who I am. It's only a matter of time and this conversation will not ever be needed...because my way will be the way, not yours. At some point the young people who are more evolved than you'll ever be, will be in charge, and understand the differences between us is what makes for a strong society. We WILL bridge this country back morally, ethically, spiritually and financially because our knowledge and use of modern technology has soared over the past 15 years more than the past 150 years..Unfortunately it seems it's the older people who abuse technology, not the younger ones..we see it as neutral, most see it as threat.
Thanks, guys, for all your comments!
Americans are for gay marriage". Well robert you forget that the election is not won by a majority of votes but by winning the electoral votes. If you analyze the swing states you will see that the swing states are not for gay marriage. So Obama has handed Romney the swing states and definitly he lost say 45% of independents with his gay marriage support. He really did this for $ for his campaign. In the same interview he stated that gay marriage is a states rights matter, not a federal civil rights matter. So by leaving it to the states he in effect is not supporting this as a civil right! He speaks with forked tongue and is misleading once again.