President Obama endorses same-sex marriage

Sifting through the names of US presidents who have openly supported same-sex marriage while in office, there should be only one name that pops up: Barack Obama.

On May 9, President Obama sat down with a previously scheduled interview with ABC News correspondent Robin Roberts to discuss aspects of his presidency, his policies and – to the world’s surprise – his views of same-sex marriage, offering a personal and heartfelt endorsement of equality.

“There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently,” Obama said. “It doesn’t make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”

The change of heart comes days after Vice President Joe Biden was asked about his own views on same-sex marriage on Meet the Press, responding by saying that he was “comfortable” with giving gay couples the same rights as their heterosexual counterparts, but hesitated to say that the president was supportive.

“I can’t speak to that; I don’t know the answer to that,” Biden said.

Officially reversing his previously “evolving” stance on same-sex marriage, Obama later issued a statement declaring his support and pitching the new stance as a means for fundraising, emphasizing that he has “always been adamant that gay and lebsian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.”

This new policy follows the Obama Administration’s repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy prohibiting the participation of openly gay and lesbian citizens in the US Armed Forces, as well as the administration’s endorsement of several acts in favor of same-sex rights. Such endorsements come at a time where the Democratic Party and its constituents are pushing for equal rights, leading many to question whether or not this is merely an election-year ploy.

Politics aside, Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage, the Student Non-Discrimination Act and the Safe Schools Improvement Act all point to a shift in rights and protections for LGBTQ community members. We’re eager to see what legislation President Obama might attempt if re-elected for another term.

This post was written by Nathan Mart, a junior at South Western High School and proud LGBTQ activist as a leader of his school’s Diversity Club.

 

 

 

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