Breaking News: Obama comes out for gay marriage

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In a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts, Obama completed what has been a markedly long and oft-mocked evolution on the matter.

"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,” Obama told Roberts, in an interview to appear on ABC’s “Good Morning America” Thursday. Excerpts of the interview will air Wednesday night on ABC’s “World News with Diane Sawyer.”

The statement constitutes an act of political bravery on the president's behalf, as well as a major victory for the gay rights community, which has been pushing him to declare his support for marriage equality for several years. With the issue back in the news this week, the pressure intensified.

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Here is the developing story.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/05/09/obama-gay-marriage_n_1503245.html?icid=hp_front_top_art

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Celebrity tweets pouring in:

Jane Lynch ‏ @janemarielynch

Pretty darn happy today. Thanks Mr President, for supporting the dignity of my family and so many others!

Nancy Pelosi ‏ @NancyPelosi

A great day in our fight for civil rights-President Obama adds his support for marriage #equality. #BeautifulDay

Karl Frisch ‏ @KarlFrisch

VIDEO: Obama: "Same-Sex Marriage Should be Legal" -http://goo.gl/vFNku - #MarriageEquality #LGBT #Gay

NBC News ‏ @NBCNews

MT @GarrettNBCNews Romney stated in no uncertain terms - in multiple interviews today - his opposition to same-sex marriage.#Decision2012

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Obama's team have already tweeted and Facebooked the following picture:

[MsGuy]

Surprised the shit out of me. Good for him!

[Guest hitoallusa]

Well this is after NC Amendment one to console those who just felt a setback... I think a new era has finally come...

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More tweets:

@adamlevine: thank you @BarackObama for reminding us all that true leadership is not dead.

@AnnCurry: To ABC, President Obama said, "I think same-sex couples should be able to get married," and cited the Golden Rule.

@tlrd: Thank you, Mr. President - Obama Endorses Gay Marriage in ABC News Interview http://t.co/enT8Jix6

@tlrd: Santorum Condemns Obama's Gay Marriage Endorsement: 'The Charade is Now Over!' http://t.co/ywQTZJFf

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And of course they were quick to put out this:

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And another tweet:

@Lady Gaga

Obama, congratulations on being the first sitting President to support marriage equality. Feels like the future, and not the past. #NoFear

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How did FoxNews react? Just as you would expect:

[TotallyOz]

Well, he finally grew some balls. A little late to the party but at least he showed up.

[Guest hitoallusa]

Oz I didn't know you want your guests to be punctual...

Well, he finally grew some balls. A little late to the party but at least he showed up.

[AdamSmith]

Oz I didn't know you want your guests to be punctual...

I have to applaud this wisdom from Hitoallusa. It makes me think of what Frederick Douglass said of Lincoln...

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?documentprint=39

[Guest hitoallusa]

So knowledgable is our AS.. Thank you for sharing this..

I have to applaud this wisdom from Hitoallusa. It makes me think of what Frederick Douglass said of Lincoln...

http://teachingamericanhistory.org/library/index.asp?documentprint=39

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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg put out a fairly cool statement concerning the president's new position on marriage. "No American president has ever supported a major expansion of civil rights that has not ultimately been adopted by the American people—and I have no doubt that this will be no exception. The march of freedom that has sustained our country since the Revolution of 1776 continues, and no matter what setbacks may occur in a given state, freedom will triumph over fear and equality will prevail over exclusion. Today’s announcement is a testament to the President’s convictions, and it builds on the courageous stands that so many Americans have taken over the years on behalf of equal rights for gay and lesbian Americans, stretching back to the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.”

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Obama, congratulations on being the first sitting President to support marriage equality. Feels like the future, and not the past. #NoFear

— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) May 10, 2012

 

@barackobama inspires me once again. True leadership is when you are willing to risk your power and voice so that ALL of ours can be heard.

— Justin Timberlake(@jtimberlake) May 9, 2012

 

Thank you President Obama! Equal/Civil Rights for us all. RT! wondaland.com/2012/05/09/bar…

— Janelle Monae (@JanelleMonae) May 9, 2012

 

thank you @BarackObama for reminding us all that true leadership is not dead.

— Adam Levine (@adamlevine) May 9, 2012

 

Very pleased the President spoke up for human rights and marriage equality today.

— John Legend (@johnlegend) May 9, 2012

 

Honestly, it's about time! This is great news! @BarackObama!! "I think same-sex couples should be able to get married." abcn.ws/JfLXgK

— Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) May 9, 2012

 

Yes! say.ly/JTy3gWL

— Adam Lambert (@adamlambert) May 9, 2012

 

I applaud President @barackobama for affirming that ALL Americans should enjoy equal rights. Historic! I will be a very proud host on Monday

— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) May 9, 2012

 

Better late than never!!!! Obama supports same-sex marriage us.cnn.com/2012/05/09/pol…

— samantha ronson (@samantharonson) May 9, 2012

 

YAY Obama!! #EqualityForAll

— Michelle Branch (@michellebranch) May 9, 2012

 

It's a huge day for America! President Obama comes out in support of same-sex marriage!Congratulations! #love #equality #change

— Tegan and Sara (@teganandsara) May 9, 2012

 

And this is why I love you, President Barack Obama.

— MICHAEL B. LERNER (@_TELEKINESIS) May 9, 2012

 

Proud of Barry Obama for fully endorsing gay marriage! Glad he is finally showing some spine... Let's get married!

— Yeasayer (@Yeasayer) May 10, 2012

 

I'm having warm feelings towards Obama today.

— sia furler (@siamusic) May 10, 2012

 

And in a statement posted on her website, Cyndi Lauper wrote: "President Obama continues to be a true leader for equality and I have never been prouder to call him my president than I am today. The president’s support of marriage equality gives hope and encouragement to the millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender young people who feel ostracized and alone. The words of the president have reinforced that they are worthy of dignity, respect, and love – just like everyone else."

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Shortly after President Obama came out in favor of marriage equality, this photo was posted on his Instagram.

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And Rush Limbaugh. . .

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I love Ellen. In so many ways, she's our most important activist, simply because she beams her love and joy of life, while married to her wife, into middle American living rooms every day. And how the audience reacts to her praising President Obama warms my heart.

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The New Yorker gets clever for its next issue. . .

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Here is a great video that describes the sentiment of what Obama did last week.

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Even Newsweek next week will show a gay themed Presidential cover.

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And thanks to the Towleroad, they have published an internal GOP memo telling them to evolve quickly on gay issues.

http://www.towleroad.com/2012/05/leaked-republican-memo-advises-quick-evolution-on-gay-issues.html

They recommend:

Recommendation: A statement reflecting recent developments on this issue along the following lines:

“People who believe in equality under the law as a fundamental principle, as I do, will agree that this principle extends to gay and lesbian couples; gay and lesbian couples should not face discrimination and their relationship should be protected under the law. People who disagree on the fundamental nature of marriage can agree, at the same time, that gays and lesbians should receive essential rights and protections such as hospital visitation, adoption rights, and health and death benefits.

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Michelangelo Signorile declares that Obama in fact was not the first gay president - read here:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michelangelo-signorile/no-president-obama-is-not_b_1524125.html?ref=gay-voices

[TampaYankee]

I would have preferred he hold this until after the election. I much prefer maximizing the prospects for carrying Virgina and North Carolina over short-term feel-good symbolism. This lowers those odds.