Obama: Marriage equalityshould be legal

www.samesame.com.au

About the Author

Matt Akersten

view my other 2308 articles

Thu 10th May, 2012 in International News

32
5
717

In a historic interview, US President Barack Obama says he’s now in support of marriage equality.

“I’ve been going through an evolution on this issue,” he told ABC News (below). “I’ve always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equality,” he began.

“I have to tell you that over the course of several years, as I have talked to friends and family and neighbours, 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 Backs Gay Marriage

The response to Obama’s new support for marriage equality was instant via Twitter:

Thank you President @BarackObama for your beautiful and brave words. I’m overwhelmed.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) May 9, 2012

Pretty darn happy today. Thanks Mr President, for supporting the dignity of my family and so many others!
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) May 9, 2012

With the US Election coming on November, Obama’s crew has been courting the gay vote.

Vice President Joe Biden said he was “comfortable” with the idea of gay marriage, and the Obama re-election crew have released a graphic highlighting the President’s progress on LGBT issues.

Comments

www.samesame.com.au

arrow left

Add Another | View all the comments in forum »

27774

davewb

davewb said on the 10th May, 2012

Great news. But equal marriage already exists. Throughout Australian suburbia, gay couples are living married lives, with kids and mortgages, and often already have had ceremonies celebrating their union. Always warms my heart to see how many straight Aussie 'blokey blokes' are at these ceremonies supporting their gay family and friends. But of course, scene queens don't realize this because they choose to isolate themselves within the poser commodified 'gay' worlds, and appear too busy trying to impress other people with clothes and 'lifestyles' to really care about equality.

sneakos

sneakos said on the 10th May, 2012

what universe are u living in dave?

Matt Akersten

Matt Akersten said on the 10th May, 2012

"Obama stood up for love - now let's stand with him"

Thank the President here: http://www.allout.org/en/actions/thanksobama

dracon388

dracon388 said on the 10th May, 2012

It's not legal and these couples don't have the same legal protection were anything to happen to either of their families.

See: "It could happen to you" on youtube.

coast_boy_21 said on the 10th May, 2012

In the USA they don't have defacto relationship recognition in federal law, so really the only way a same-sex couple in the USA is recognized in federal law is to allow them to marry so there children don't face discrimination and the couple its self does not face as much discrimination in tax law as an example. Please look at this from an USA angle on why they need marriage equality, rather than comparing them to Australia.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

I really didn't think this would happen before the election. Colour me surprised!

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

This is just ridiculous. And you know it.

Ruffnut

Ruffnut said on the 10th May, 2012

I like the boy.

yogi

yogi said on the 10th May, 2012

This is so fantastic on so many levels!! Finally a person in such a powerful position who can make such a difference has the courage to speak up in surport for same sex marriage, I always knew it would be Obama that would do it, one brave & compassionate man. This just confirmed what I already knew, Obama is a good man. Now it will be interesting what comes out of it. No matter how people want to look at this, its a huge step forward, we should all be celebrating this! Its a big moment in history. Now it's your turn Julia Gillard, you have no excuse, the pressure is on!

Virgindirk

Virgindirk said on the 10th May, 2012

Watch and learn Julia.

Matt Akersten

Matt Akersten said on the 10th May, 2012

There's already a Tumblr: http://whenobamaendorsed.tumblr.com/

mark_ said on the 10th May, 2012

Is this relevant? It's the states' decision on whether or not to change state laws.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

I think it is relevant.
It's relevant in the sense that someone in such a powerful position is showing support. The majority of Americans aren't on board with same-sex marriage just yet so support like this (and his explanation for it) are helpful in their own little way.
Also as has been mentioned it IS an election year and this election isn't going to be the cakewalk for him that it was in 2008, so it's really quite something to see him putting himself out there like this.

Obviously this only came about now due to Joe Biden's remarks the other day, (I've read that Obama planned to show support for same-sex marriage later in the year) but to think that you only have to go back 2 Presidents to find "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (and Clinton was a Democrat!), it really is something to have the President publicly supporting same-sex marriage.

It's not a silver bullet, but it's something.

torilee said on the 10th May, 2012

First of all, Dave, being a defacto couple and being legally married are NOT equal. There are different rules for things like, oh, having children. Or sponsoring your overseas partner. We have had to get lawyers and jump through extra hoops to do the things that hetero married couples get to do automatically. Some things we aren't allowed to do at all. So PLEASE don't sit here and tell me equal marriage exists in Australia. It doesn't.

Yes, Mark, it IS relevant. Google "DOMA".

rudeboy86

rudeboy86 said on the 10th May, 2012

Scott Tucker from TruthDig had something to say on the matter....

http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/obama_and_gay_marriage_thanks_for_nothing_20120509/#below

Obama and Gay Marriage: Thanks for Nothing

By Scott Tucker

Editor’s note: The president’s comment Wednesday that he now supports marriage rights for same-sex couples after years of meditation and evolution has been hailed as a historic moment in American politics. Not everyone is so impressed. Below, Truthdig senior writer Scott Tucker reacts to the news.

President Obama was finally politically cornered, including by the unscripted remarks of Vice President Biden. Anyone who attributes courage to Obama in making this announcement is in a bemused state of mind. Obama’s calculation was electoral through and through. And the White House was definitely getting the news that major gay donors would not be signing checks until he “evolved” already. Also, millions of ordinary gay voters were finding it harder to suppress mounting moral revulsion at being played like extras in every election.

This concession, extracted from one of the emptiest suits ever to enter the White House, will be lauded by anyone and everyone inclined to vote by rote for career Democrats.

The honor of the real struggle over the years and decades does not belong to such politicians, but to gay couples and rebel queers of all kinds. First and foremost to ourselves. So thanks to all of you—all of us—who fought the good fight.

And for those who “evolved” themselves into triangulating and calculating career politicians: Thanks for nothing.

As for Obama lauding “incredibly committed monogamous relationships,” just consider making that argument in defense of allowing straight couples to marry. Yes, because heterosexuals really set the gold standard for monogamy. Obama never sounds more fake than when he is laying on the morals, monogamy and militarism with a gilded trowel.

Now maybe career Democrats will “evolve” on issues such as war, empire, torture, civil liberties and habeas corpus.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

Obama is on the record approving of same-sex marriage from his days bac k in Illinois. He actually believes in this, it's just that due to the nature of politics (and how US politics is at the moment) that he really has to (wait for it) play politics!

There has been an overreaction by people, acting as though Obama has just declared world peace, but the problem with that overreaction lies with the people making it. Obama supports same-sex marriage. That's all. He didn't state that he was going to somehow make it legal everywhere tomorrow, he just came out in support.

wysi

wysi said on the 10th May, 2012

if Obama really wanted same-sex marriage to be legalized, he should have waited for his re-election!

this could unfortunately put nail on his presidential bid's coffin. he should have considered it strategically!

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

Marriage in the US is a State issue and there isn't really too much that Obama can do personally about it.
As I said earlier, I've read that Obama was supposed to come out for same-sex marriage support before the Democratic Nation Convention (before the election also), but due to Biden's comments recently he kind of had to say something now.

If anything is going to cost him the election, it won't be this.

wysi

wysi said on the 10th May, 2012

It is also a Federal issue.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (Pub.L. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419, enacted September 21, 1996, 1 U.S.C. § 7 and 28 U.S.C. § 1738C) is a United States federal law that defines marriage as the legal union of one man and one woman. The law passed both houses of Congress by large majorities and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 21, 1996.
Under the law, no state or other political subdivision of the U.S. may be required to recognize as a marriage a same-sex relationship considered a marriage in another state. Section 3 of DOMA codifies the non-recognition of same-sex marriage for all federal purposes, including insurance benefits for government employees, Social Security survivors' benefits, and the filing of joint tax returns. This section has been found unconstitutional in two Massachusetts court cases and a California bankruptcy court case, all of which are under appeal. The Obama administration announced in 2011 that it had determined that Section 3 was unconstitutional and, though it would continue to enforce the law, it would no longer defend it in court. In response, the House of Representatives undertook the defense of the law on behalf of the federal government in place of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defense_of_Marriage_Act

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

When I say it is a State issue I mean that the States have the constitutional right to make their own marriage laws. All that DOMA says is that "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and no State can be forced to recognise same-sex marriages performed in other States".
Even repealing DOMA (which won't happen for many reasons) wouldn't just open the flood gates for same-sex marriage.

Barrin

Barrin said on the 10th May, 2012

First of all, Dave, being a defacto couple and being legally married are NOT equal.

So in the name of equality de facto and married couples ought to be treated exactly the same.
What is everyone missing here?
I can only think of George Orwell's 'Animal Farm': All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.

wysi

wysi said on the 10th May, 2012

When I say it is a State issue I mean that the States have the constitutional right to make their own marriage laws. All that DOMA says is that "Marriage is between a man and a woman, and no State can be forced to recognise same-sex marriages performed in other States".
Even repealing DOMA (which won't happen for many reasons) wouldn't just open the flood gates for same-sex marriage.

Section 3 of DOMA codifies the non-recognition of same-sex marriage for all federal purposes, including insurance benefits for government employees, Social Security survivors' benefits, and the filing of joint tax returns.

so how is this merely a state issue? if the Romney wins the White House he could opt to defend this provision.

JarrodJ

JarrodJ said on the 10th May, 2012

It's not that it is "merely" a State issue, but as I said, President Obama really can't do much about the Federal stuff. Politics being what it is right now in the US it would be suicide for Obama to do anything drastic with regards to same-sex marriage.
Congress isn't on his side right now so short of an Executive Order (once again, suicide), there's not a whole lot he can do.
These are the perils of a Democracy.

rudeboy86

rudeboy86 said on the 11th May, 2012

http://www.againstequality.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/sam_wallman_postcard.jpg

mark_ said on the 11th May, 2012

orfeo said on the 11th May, 2012

People need to understand the US Constitution and separation of powers before laying into Obama about things that he has no control over. He doesn't make State law and he doesn't rule Congress. The thing he DOES control is what comes out of his own mouth. And I'm pretty darn thrilled that the leader of the free world is on board.

coast_boy_21 said on the 12th May, 2012

Yes, because social consertives in the USA are trying to ban gay marriage at the federal level. Like what John howard did here in Australia.

rudeboy86

rudeboy86 said on the 12th May, 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/no-celebration-for-this-lesbian/2012/05/10/gIQAlPxfFU_blog.html

No celebration for this lesbian

By Lauren Taylor

I’m a progressive, out lesbian, but I’m not doing a happy dance about President Obama’s support for gay marriage.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think we (the country, the society) should be giving rights, privileges and protections to anyone — gay, straight, bisexual or other — based on their sexual or romantic relationships. I think most of the rights and privileges gay men and lesbians are seeking by pursuing marriage rights should be granted to human beings because they are human beings, whether or not they find one person they want to spend the rest of their lives with.

A few examples:

● Everyone should be able to designate who they want to be able to visit them in the hospital. Everyone should be able to take leave to care for a sick loved one.

● Everyone should have access to health insurance. If you’re self-employed, unemployed or work for a place that doesn’t provide health insurance, you shouldn’t need to have a romantic partner who has a job that provides health benefits to get coverage.

● If a couple with a child splits, married or not, all parents should be eligible for visitation and responsible for child support.

● Everyone who pays into Social Security should be able to list who is financially dependent on them and who should get benefits when they die. Our current system shortchanges any dependent who isn’t married to a wage earner.

What about single people? Are they less deserving of the legal protections couples get? Why should rights, privileges and protections be based on anyone’s ability to find “Mr. /Ms. Right” and maintain a sexual/romantic relationship? Do other kinds of relationships (like parent-child, or adult siblings, or single best friends who live together and rely on each other financially and emotionally) not deserve protection?

I don’t think we have to aspire to some narrow ideal of family/couplehood to deserve rights. We deserve rights because we’re human beings, not because we’re achieving some level of similarity to the heterosexual ideal.

So you might be surprised to hear that I also love the idea of marriage. I love the idea of commitment, of getting community and family support for a relationship, and of the accountability to that community and family. I think anyone who wants to should have a ceremony and make a commitment and throw a big party. But that shouldn’t affect whether they then get health insurance, or get to take time off to take a sick person to the doctor, or are able to sign a permission form for a field trip.

I’m not fighting for access to marriage, and I wish that wasn’t where the gay rights movement was putting most of its effort and resources. (Violence, housing, employment, education, anyone?) But (with apologies to Groucho Marx), if someone is trying to keep me out of this club, I want in. How dare anyone say that I don’t deserve access to marriage and all it brings? How dare they say I, and my relationships, aren’t good enough?

I’d just prefer that LGBTQ people be recognized and accepted for being human beings, period. And that all human beings, regardless of relationship status, are assured their rights. That’s why I’m not celebrating the president’s “evolution.”

mark_ said on the 12th May, 2012

rudeboy86

rudeboy86 said on the 22nd Jun, 2012

https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/484335_3640131516233_2072811688_n.jpg

ammonite

ammonite said on the 22nd Jun, 2012

how did he 'sell whole generations into debt slavery to international bankers'?

and what has he done with Monsanto?