Obama backs bill overturning Defense of Marriage Act

President Barack Obama on, Tuesday, July 19, 2011, in the the briefing room of the White House in Washington.

/ AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais

After New York state passed landmark legislation allowing same-sex marriage for its citizens, President Barack Obama was ambiguous about his beliefs on the subject.

The president never said explicitly that he supports allowing gay marriage nationwide. Instead, he repeatedly said he believed allowing gay marriage was something states should decide for themselves, and added once: "This administration, under my direction, has consistently said we cannot discriminate as a country against people on the basis of sexual orientation."

Now, however, Mr. Obama has given the strongest signal yet that he may actually support same-sex marriage, by throwing his backing behind a new bill that would overturn the 15-year-old Defense of Marriage Act, signed into law by then-President Bill Clinton, which defines marriage as something that is only between a man and a woman.

The new bill is called the "Respect for Marriage Act," and will be introduced by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-CA, and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-NY, on Wednesday.

"This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples," The White House said in a statement. "The President has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people -- our families, friends and neighbors."

President Barack Obama had said previously that he views the Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, even going so far as ordering the Justice Department to stop defending it in court.

[insightful_1]

Fear and tremble libs--the time of accounting is coming due.... and you'll be the only ones kicking and screaming in holding with your always predictive state of liberal lunacy.

[insightful_1]

we only allowed DADT to pass so we know exactly where to aim the "friendly" fire from here on out. And so-called "gay" marriage...? No worries. Not having a thing to contribuite to the perpetuation of human kind, this will finally allow you to "evolve" yourselves right out of the gene pool. Thing only thing you can ever produce natually is what you see in the toilet after you've finished. Good luck with that.

[ryanhn]

I think a lot of liberals, progressives, and even moderates will be angered by the fact that this bill wasn't introduced prior to the 2010 elections when it might have had a shot at passing. Introducing it now strikes me as a slap in the face to those who would support it.

[ryanhn]

I'll add that I think repeal of DOMA should have been pursued before repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. DADT affected only a small subset of the gay community who might potentially join the military. DOMA on the other hand has the potential to affect the majority of gays, since, like their straight counterparts, I think most gays would hope to get married one day given the chance.

[1stlttightwad]

So this in new for Obama? He is so afraid of losing in 2012 that he is willing to compromise his (Christian,Muslim ???) beliefs by pandering to every fringe group. The critical mistake he is making in that doing so he will, and has alienated the majority of Americans that believe otherwise. I believe that he is sincere in some of his ideals. The problem is that America rejects his vision of where we should be and how to get there. On the other hand, he is willing to blow along with any wind that he feels will keep him in office. He is not and will never be a leader. A leader is in front, devising a plan, making decisions and standing firm in all cases. This Obama is not. Liberals prepare yourself and those of like mind to have your agenda soundly defeated and repudiated in the 2012 election. If and I say if the polls have any validity, Obama would lose to ANY republican candidate if the election were held today. This man has failed to have his justice department enforce DOMA, already a law. Failed to enforce voter intimidation laws, and has made end around runs of legislation. Can we say cap and tax defeated, gets EPA to do it instead. Why do you think he pushed so hard to ram the Obamacare package through while the Dems controlled the House, Senate, and White House. He knew that this was the last and only chance to get it done. The 2010 elections proved him right in that respect, they lost the house. The problems now facing the libs and dems is what are they going to do when the senate and presidency are republican controlled along with the house. You can bet the Obamacare will be defunded and stricken from the books,if the courts do not deem it unconstitutional in the mean time.

[brnfream]

You said it well. Obama is already defeated.

[pasha128]

Obvama is clearly prosecuting voter fraud cases.

IN the only case I have heard of since Obama took office a REPUBLICAN has been indicted and has had his peers calling for his resignation. A refreshing change after the Bush Administration declined to prosecute Ann Coulter and others for Voter Fraud.

http://washingtonstreetpolitics.com/category/charlie-white/

[USSAmerikan]

Originally homosexuality was banned (sodomy is still a crime in most states), then it became tolerated, now it is being taught in California. Will it eventually become mandatory?

[ryanhn]

Yes, USSAmerikan. It will be mandatory. So you might as well bend over right now and take it like a man.

[Anotheryahoo]

When has marriage ever represented anything other then man and woman....republicans got one issue right and a plethora of issues wrong,spending,wars,more spending,homeland security etc, and more wrong. Obama pulling in his liberal base but compared to all the problems we have at them moment I could care a less if adam and steve are getting married.

[andrewjsacks]

Good news, and from a fine man and President.