For years, President Obama has said he is evolving on the issue of same-sex marriage. Finally, he has stopped evolving and started leading. The real subject is not really same-sex marriage at all. The real subject is, and always has, been universal human rights. If GLBT citizens are asked to pay all their taxes they should get all of their rights. Today, Mr. Obama has left the safe cover of silence, and at great risk stood as President for all the citizens in our nation.
“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.” -President Obama
Finally Indeed!!
In the wake of the passage of the North Carolina Amendment denying gay couples the right marriage or enter into civil unions, Obama’s announcement was a much needed breath of fresh air. Chris Mathews on HARDBALL last night put it very well when he stated that this President has distinquished himself by being honest about his evolution and straightforward about his present conclusions regarding the right to marry. So many past presidents have pushed forward anti gay legislation publicly while privately telling their gay acquaintances that they “really didn’t have anything against gay men and women—it’s just politics” Finally, a President who speaks honestly about this. The “emperor” REALLY is wearing clothes again!