President Obama Announces Support For Gay Marriage

Robin Roberts and POTUS

In a surprising and historic announcement, President Obama finally came out in support of gay marriage in an interview with ABC's Robin Roberts. This comes just days after Vice President Joe Biden said on NBC's Meet The Press that he was "comfortable" with same-sex marriage, which prompted questions about where Obama stood on the issue. "I've always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally," Obama told Roberts, and then went on to say:

"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 also talked about how his daughters, Malia and Sasha influenced his stance on the issue.

"You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. 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. It doesn’t make sense to them and frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."

This announcement prompted a huge response on social networks, it almost broke Twitter, and there was an outpouring of support with many, including some celebs thanking the Prez for doing the interview. Reportedly Roberts landed the exclusive sit-down with Obama because of their friendship and past interviews. Her age and race also played a part, and ABC producer told Politico.

While the President should be applauded for taking a stance that no other President has before, I wish this would have been said earlier because maybe it could have changed the outcome of the Amendment One vote. North Carolina, the state I am currently embarrassed to live in, voted overwhelmingly to approve a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as solely as a union between a man and a woman. NC unfortunately already bans gay marriage, but this essentially makes it final and closes the door on same-sex marriage. Although I and many voted against it, it just wasn't enough and we became the 30th state to adopt a ban on gay marriage. It was, to say the least, disappointing and disheartening among many other things.

My hope is that by President Obama and many others coming out publicly to support gay marriage and equal rights is that we can turn this country around for the better.

We don't really get very political around here at Dipped in Cream, but for Pete's sake folks, get out and rock the vote in November!