Politics & Government

Sound-Off: President Obama Backs Same-Sex Marriage

In an interview with ABC News, the president says gay couples should have the right to marry.

President Obama made headlines Wednesday during an ABC News interview when he said he supports same-sex couples ability to marry.

The president, who in the past had supported civil union parternships for gay couples, said that his stance on the subject has "evolved" since he took office in 2008.

Obama said while he supports same-sex marriage, he believes it is within a state's right to regulate such unions. Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncun in recent days both expressed support for gay marriage. 

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From Obama's ABC interview: 

"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.

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The announcement came just one day after voters in the swing state of North Carolina approved a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage. Click here to read the full story from our partners at The Huffington Post. 

So what do you think? Do you support same-sex marriage? What do you think of the president's announcement? How might this impact his re-election? Tell us in the comments. 



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