Shedding light onto what has been a heartbreaking day in marriage equality news, President Barack Obama has become the first president in history to annouce his support for same-sex marriage. He made the announcement during an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts, which will air on Good Morning America 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,” he said.
The statement follows Vice President Joe Biden’s declaration of support last week.
The president has been “evolving” on the issue over the last two years, and this decision comes less than a day after North Carolina passed Amendment One, which creates a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, infusing hope back into the civil rights issue. This historical statement will no doubt shape the public and political opinion on the matter, and play a huge role in the upcoming presidential election. His stand is in direct opposition of his Republican rival Mitt Romney, who favors an amendment to the United States Constitution to forbid it.
Watch the video of the President’s interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts here:
Photo: Whitehouse.gov
