According to the New York Times, on Wednesday President Obama publicly endorsed same-sex marriages ended nearly two years of “evolving” on the issue.
This marks the first time a President taking a definitive stand on one of the most politically charged social issues of the day.
“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 told ABC News in an interview that came after the president faced mounting pressure to clarify his position.
Supporters of same-sex marriage were quick to praise the president’s decision to speak out.
“President Obama’s words today will be celebrated by generations to come,” said Chad Griffin, the incoming president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy group.
“For the millions of young gay and lesbian Americans across this nation, President Obama’s words provide genuine hope that they will be the first generation to grow up with the freedom to fully pursue the American dream. Marriage — the promise of love, companionship, and family — is basic to the pursuit of that dream.”
Read more about President Obama’s Same-sex stance, click here.
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York said, “No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people, and I have no doubt that this will be no exception.”
