Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch urge Obama to support gay marriage

Topics: Celebrity

Anne Hathaway.

(Credit: Getty)

(CBS/AP) The message from Anne Hathaway, Jane Lynch, Martin Sheen and others stars, is, "Say, 'I do' Mr. President."

They're among a group of actors, athletes and business leaders urging President Barack Obama to support marriage rights for same-sex couples.

The New York-based group Freedom to Marry said that R&B singer Mya, NFL linebacker Scott Fujita and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey also signed an open letter calling on the president to back gay marriage.

On Freedom to Marry's website, more names are on the list, including musician Rufus Wainwright, entertainment mogul David Geffen and Zynga founder Mark Pincus.

Mr. Obama has said he supports civil unions as an alternative to marriage for gays and lesbians, and his views on the subject are evolving. His administration announced this month that it would no longer defend the federal law barring government recognition of same-sex unions.

Freedom to Marry says several couples plan to deliver the letter to the White House in the spring.

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by rini10 June 3, 2011 10:43 AM EDT: I am not gay. Iam not against gay marriages when it comes to them keeping their partners assets. But when it comes to tax breaks, insurance breaks,and social security benefits forget it. I am not in favor of married people getting tax breaks,etc. At one time when the spouse stayed at home to raise the kids but know most spouses work. Here is my gripe I am single when the company I worked for added same sex partners to the insurance my benefits went down and co-payments went up same for car insurance etc. I am tired of paying for someone else if you want eight kids than you pay for them not me If you are married that your pay for that not me. Its bad enugh I have to pay for the dead beats in the society. Also supposly most writher are gay so if I was a tv star that depends on them to write me good lines so I can keep my job I would support them. The gay have a strong lobby and control a lot of votes so the politicians will do anything to get the votes.(but we all knew that not whats good for america but what gets me votes repule a cans and the dem o rats.) So middle class get out in vote thats why we are getting the shaft; Reply to this comment


by cameraphone March 17, 2011 1:41 PM EDT: Yes, America has much more important things to do now than grant more freedom to people.; Reply to this comment


by freeamerica31 March 17, 2011 1:38 PM EDT: I agree Gays should have the right to marry. It's a personal choice to marry and who it is you love is again your personal choice. If Gays truly consumate, then it's a perverse sexual act going against nature. How come these celebrities didn't sign a letter requesting that Pologomy be recognized? Pologomy has more legality than Gay Marriage since it is between man and women or vice versa (politically correct) and it's part of the Mormon Religion. Celebrities don't forget to include those who wish to marry their animals....don't discriminate against Lassie! PETA Rules!; Reply to this comment


by Nmmrng March 17, 2011 1:24 PM EDT: The country has real problems and this is what they bug the president about. Of course, might as well worry about this since he isn't doing anything else. Maybe running the White House board for March madness. Other than that, he has left everything just as Bush wanted it.; Reply to this comment


by usunus March 17, 2011 12:49 PM EDT: All celebrities should enter into same-sex marriages before they advise anybody else to do it.; Reply to this comment

by cbsblogger March 17, 2011 12:37 PM EDT

While the USA has been purposely robbed, raped, and plundered by the financial elites and NYC money people - the politicians, media and celebrities bring up these issues intended to keep the sheeple infighting, instead of focusing anger at those who caused it all.

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by smitvict March 17, 2011 12:48 PM EDT: instead of focusing anger at those who caused it all

Yea, Obama, Pelosi, Reed!!!

by mrleme March 17, 2011 12:03 PM EDT

Give me a break! I despise it when "celebrities" give their self-absorbed opinion on politics etc. I wish they would be quite and do their job that they get so handsomely paid!

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by rini10 June 3, 2011 10:48 AM EDT: look at oprah she is rich and talks about the poor in the U.S. (where she got most of her money) so what does she do she opens a girls school in africa.when the celebs give all their money up then i will listen to them. but till than quit trying to take my money for you stupid causes


by afloatinasea March 17, 2011 12:02 PM EDT: The lawyers can't wait for this to happen.; Reply to this comment

by bundye March 17, 2011 11:54 AM EDT

Mr. President..DO NOT follow the wrong crowd. Uphold the moral fiber of what this country was based upon. The end times are upon us...do what's right!!!!

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by daffy64 March 17, 2011 12:38 PM EDT: Yes. Do what's right. Defend liberty for all.


by smitvict March 17, 2011 12:43 PM EDT: Follow the moral fiber of the bible - arranged marriages, dowry, concubines, NO divorce (except for adultery by the woman), woman as chattel. Don't forget multiple wives!


by Lawyers-Guns-n-Money06 March 17, 2011 11:50 AM EDT: "Verily I say unto you, that should a man put oil upon a woman's naked body, and make her go upon all fours and bark like a dog, while knowing her, if you know what I mean, then he has committed adultery, and surely if a woman do the same thing right back, well she has jumped on the adultery donkey cart herownself. And if a woman should pretend to be a powerful queen, and a man a lowly slave boy, and if she should call him humiliating names and make him lick upon her body, then surely they have sinned like big dogs - and woe unto the man if he pretends to be a powerful queen, and-"

The Gospel according to Biff, Christ's childhood pal.; Reply to this comment