December 22, 2010 5:02 PM

Obama Stands by Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage - but Feelings "Evolving"

By
Brian Montopoli
Topics
Social Issues

Asked at a press conference Wednesday about his opposition to same-sex marriage in the wake of repeal of the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, President Obama stood by his position - but also suggested he was open to changing his mind in the near future.

"My feelings about this are constantly evolving," he said. "I struggle with this. I have friends, I have people who work for me who are in powerful, strong, long-lasting gay or lesbian unions. And they are extraordinary people. And this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about."

He continued: "At this point, what I've said is that my baseline is a strong civil union that provides them the protections and the legal rights that married couples have, and I think that's the right thing to do. But I recognize that from their perspective it is not enough, and I think this is something that we're going to continue to debate, and I personally am going to continue to wrestle with going forward."

Mr. Obama added that "this is going to be an issue that is not unique to the military, this is an issue that extends to all of our society and I think we're all going to have to have a conversation about it."

The president took a similar position in October, when he said "attitudes evolve, including mine."

"The one thing I will say today is I think it's pretty clear where the trendlines are going," he said.

Upon signing the bill to end the 1993 "don't ask, don't tell" policy banning gay men and women from serving openly in the military Wednesday morning, Mr. Obama cast the moment as a move toward equality for all Americans, stating, "We are a nation that believes that all men and women are created equal."

He said during an  interview with The Advocate Tuesday night that he believed the next legislative steps on gay rights are the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. DOMA defines marriage as between one man and one woman on a federal level, while ENDA would make it illegal for employers to make decisions about hiring, firing, promoting and/or paying someone based on his or her sexual orientation.


Add a Comment See all 76 Comments
by yamfood December 25, 2010 10:58 AM EST
Flip flopper is right! Hopefully he learns about backbone over the next two years or American can forget about any progressive legislation until after 2012! :D
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by doomedadministration December 24, 2010 6:37 PM EST
this guy is going too far now he has the gays trying to convince him to change doma he has a lot of nerves he will have hell on his hands trying to repeal doma i know who i will be voting far an it sure wont be for him in 2012 i see him defeated.
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by abhorlibs December 24, 2010 2:49 PM EST
Hey Rahm, now that you have purchased the right to run for Mayor in the windy city, be careful when obambam comes up to play "stump" with you. Dust off the old tutu.
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt December 24, 2010 2:44 PM EST
by yamfood December 24, 2010 9:23 AM EST
Obama should show a little more leadership on this issue but he's a consummate politician.
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Of course you're right here...he's floating a balloon.
Reply to this comment
by formrusmcsgt December 24, 2010 2:41 PM EST
by cptdeuce December 23, 2010 10:41 PM EST
..... ran away from this Failed President during the last election in an attempt to retain their seats; when your own party runs away from the sitting President - you know that Bozo from Chicago is a FAILURE.

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Until the last line, I thought you were referring to how invisible duba and cheney were in the 2008 election......no one wanted to share a podium with them.
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by yamfood December 24, 2010 9:23 AM EST
Obama should show a little more leadership on this issue but he's a consummate politician. IMO, he doesn't give a damn about gay marriage one way or another, but if it were up to him he would probably let them get married. He takes the position that he has about civil unions because of the poll numbers and public opinion. This is where he is failing to show leadership. He has absolutely no logical reason for taking this position.
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by ConcernedArmyWife December 24, 2010 8:14 PM EST
"President Obama stood by his position - but also suggested he was open to changing his mind in the near future."

"The one thing I will say today is I think it's pretty clear where the trendlines are going,"

......
He supports whatever gives him the best chances at reelection. I like to use the term "flip-flopper".
by orlaeho January 29, 2011 11:30 PM EST
yes he does ! his logical reasoning is that it is a country founded on freedom and equality... this yamfood is reason enough. He isn't pushing for straight ppl to all get divorced and turn gay just to allow gays some rights which they deserve in this country we brag about being based on freedom and equality!!!
by Faithfulwatcher December 23, 2010 10:58 AM EST
If President Obama were obedient to God's laws, he wouldn't be "struggling" at all. He needs to read Genesis 2:24 and Leviticus 18:22, "And you must not lie down with a male the same as you lie down with a woman. It is a detestable thing." DETESTABLE TO GOD. See verses 24 & 25 for God's promised punishment.
Reply to this comment
by Cyber998 December 23, 2010 11:12 AM EST
What about the next line of Leviticus, where he says parents should stone their own children or the one where children should be put to death if they curse their parents? Should he also sign those into law?

If the whole world lived by the word of the bible we would live in an extremely violent, uncaring and vindictive world indeed.
by Faithfulwatcher December 23, 2010 11:27 AM EST
Cyber998- There is no next line where the people are told to stone their children. Do not post false statements.
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by Socialization December 23, 2010 10:31 AM EST
It is funny how Gays are portrayed in the Media, very favorably. The visual of what they do to one another in the bedroom is enough for most people to rationalize that this is un-natural. I am not saying that this is a choice of theirs, but come on, it really is not normal and over time, if allowed I believe medical science will figure out a way to correct it.
Reply to this comment
by hakori December 23, 2010 3:04 PM EST
Socialization, this term "unnatural" is getting tiresome. Homosexuality is perfectly natural if you happen to be born gay. When people throw around this term, it has nothing to do with nature and everything to do with religious based intolerance. Homosexuality is found in other mammals and birds as well. This means it is an extrememly ancient trait going back 100 million years to a time when mammals and birds had a common ancestor. It's obviously evolutionarily advantageous to a species as a whole somehow or it wouldn't have perisisted. But you have hit on an interesting idea: perhaps one day medical science will develop a pill that cures prejudice. I hope you're around to see that day, because you are in great need.
by hakori December 23, 2010 3:16 PM EST
Socialization, you suggest being gay is in need of correction. Let's get past the "visual" of what gays do in the bedroom, although I think most people would prefer to see two attractive gay men or women going at it than you. I have the feeling you are far from a prime physical specimen. Never the less, of all the gay people I know, every one of them are more articulate, more educated, more creative, many are more artistic and all are more intelligent than "normal" folk like you. I don't think this is something in need of correction just to satiate your "ick" fator. But then again, this is where you get confused and think it's all about you.
by Socialization December 23, 2010 10:25 AM EST
I wish Obamas "evolving" thoughts would more focus on Jobs and the impending trouble with North Korea. This issue is for a minority in this country. I guess he needs every vote.....
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by didormanii December 23, 2010 10:18 AM EST
I've never known of any dead people who could argue the laws. But I have been witnessing a hell of a lot of them moving money.
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