In a landmark statement, President Barack Obama has become the first president to state his support for same-sex marriage.
Obama gave the news to ABC News' Robin Roberts in an interview that will air on ABC's "Good Morning America" on Thursday.
"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,” Obama told Roberts.
The news comes just days after Vice President Joe Biden said he supports gay marriage.
In New Jersey, same-sex marriage advocates are rejoicing.
"I am overwhelmed with tears of joy, as our millions of other LGBT people and our millions of allies across America,” said Garden State Equality's Chair Steven Goldstein. “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 Gov. 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.' That political cover is now thrown into dustbin of history parked outside the archives of prejudice, collecting its rhetorical trash."
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."
Last year, Lautenberg joined Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and others to introduce legislation that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
The "Respect for Marriage Act” would repeal DOMA and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples – including tens of thousands of same-sex couples – to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law.
http://www.google.com/search?q=buss+and+shackelford+infidelity+statistics&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&client=safari So where's your proof? Or are you just posting nonsense because you have no valid reason to deny civil rights to gays, only hatred, prejudice, and bigotry?
Now ill type slow again so you can follow tom wrote "Prior to 1863, slavery had a tradition over 10,000 years old" a couple FCATS 1 America didnt exist 10k yrs ago slavery still exists today. See you LIEberals always blame the US for all the evil in the world. See that was the point I was making
When is someone going to purge this comment section of his hatred? Come on, Patch Editors... I know it's the weekend, but really." Your buddy eggs has said actualy vulgarities where your call for sensorship of him/ Oh thats right hes a commie like you aHHH YES typical LIEberal shutdown anyone you dont agree with espically if they prove you wrong. So what have I said thats foul mouth calling big ears a marists commie? Calling far leftwinger idiots?
You said: "Your buddy eggs has said actualy vulgarities where your call for sensorship of him/ Oh thats right hes a commie like you aHHH YES typical LIEberal shutdown anyone you dont agree with espically if they prove you wrong. So what have I said thats foul mouth calling big ears a marists commie? Calling far leftwinger idiots?" Show me where anyone else - especially "eggsntoast" used any of the childish names, terms, or 'vulgarities' YOU've used over and over again, like: * commie * idiots * devil worshipper * LIEberal * liar * marxist * Leftist Lamestream media * socialist leftist commie * moron * Muslim 'killers or sympathizers' * calling the president "Obammie the Commie", or calling him "Hussain" * Calling non-Christians "atheists, godless, heathens, devil worshipers" etc I'm also confused as to why your posts are not deleted. The editors are surely slipping.
If Obama really had any guts at all, he'd just come out of the closet and join the rest of of his ilk. He's not fooling anyone.
what are you -- in 5th grade?? LOL I think I'm going to 'throw in the towel' on this topic like eggsntoast did. There's no sense trying to talk to people who behave like middle school bullies - with the emotional outbursts and snotty language to match. Good luck everyone!
Oh, and good luck with the homosexual marriage thingy, we'll toast Obama when I gather with my colleagues for dinner at my beach house this weekend!
One of the major differences between civil unions and marriage is that folks who have a civil union do not have the benefits or perks of the marriage. Since a marriage is a legal contract that joins two people, it means that they can receive tax breaks like filing a joint return. However, a couple in a civil union does not receive such benefits. The lack of federal benefits can really make all the difference. For example, if a person's partner passes away, the other partner would not be able to take sick leave to care for their partner or receive survivor benefits through Social Security because the civil union is not looked upon in the same way as a marriage. Similarly, those with a civil union won't be able to place their partner on their health insurance but those who are married can. "Separate but equal" was a failed and pernicious policy with regard to race; it will be a failed and pernicious policy with regard to sexual orientation.
That's not a good sampling of things to come for old Barry.
I wouldn't spend a red cent for your brand of "class". As for respect, gaining or presenting my own has no monetary value because it must be earned- something the progressive entitlement crowd has absolutely no concept of.
Bigoted person ; especially: a person who hates or refuses to accept the members of a particular group You call me bigot when I only stated several times that I don’t agree you all seem to fit the definition fare better then I. If you go back to my first contribution here there was no hate in it. Read them before you point out hatred.
“A government afraid of its citizens is a Democracy. Citizens afraid of government is tyranny!” ― Thomas Jefferson