Earlier this week, I posted on the media’s speculation of famed rapper/actress Queen Latifah’s possible homosexuality, and while the newspapers and social networks are still reeling off of that high, something even bigger has come along to turn heads and drop jaws on a more widespread and political level.
In an interview with ABC News Wednesday, current President of the United States, Barack Obama, announced that he is, infact, a supporter of same-sex marriage. Obama commented:
“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.”
We all know that Obama is indeed our nation’s first black POTUS, but what may be surprising is that he is also the first sitting president to EVER back same-sex marriages. This new affirmation has put Obama in direct opposition with Republican presidential candidate, Mitt Romney who has voiced on several occasions that he belives that “marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Not to long ago, Obama may have shared Romney’s opinions on gay marriage. In 1996, as a candidate for the state Senate in Illinois, Obama offered “unequivocal” support for same-sex marriage, but later changed his position. As a candidate for presidency in 2008, Mr. Obama said he supports civil unions, but declined to back same-sex marriage. Back then, he termed his position on same-sex marriages as “evolving.”
So what made our beloved president finally choose a side on gay marriage, and how will this affect him in November? Read more after the jump…
Prior to yesterday’s announcement, Obama had only openly backed civil unions, expressing that he was attempting to be sensitive to those who considered marriage a more traditional and religious act. However, Obama has now admitted that his thinking shifted as he witnessed committed same-sex marriages and thought about U.S. service personnel who were “not able to commit themselves in a marriage.” Obama also said that his daughters, Sasha and Malia, have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. Referring to his daughters, Obama lamented:
“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.”
Very interesting, Mr. President, especially when you think about it that way, but unfortunately, many Americans do not share in Obama’s endorsement. A Gallup Poll released Tuesday indicated 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with 48% saying such marriages should not be legal. In other words, the vote is split, and it is too soon to tell if Obama advocacy will take a hit at the polls. Most recently, North Carolina voted to implement a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, which was already prohibited by state law, and although Obama believes that this vote is discriminatory against gays and lesbians, he is in support of each state making this decision on their own.
On a more personal level, U.S. citizens have been sounding off for the last 24 hours on the subject through various social media forums. Some Facebook friends and Twitter followers immediately threw in the towel, denouncing Obama as our POTUS and reluctantly welcoming Romney into office. Homosexuality is still such a taboo subject here in America and around the world, and many think that Obama has shot himself in the foot by backing a concept that makes so many so uncomfortable.
Two of Obama's celebrity supporters, Ellen DeGeneres and wife, Portia de Rossi will be married four years this August.
However, on a broader scale, celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga, Neil Patrick Harris, and Ellen DeGeneres have celebrated the president for taking such a huge step. Tonight, Obama will actually host a fundraiser at actor and renowned same-sex marriage supporter, George Clooney’s house. The event is scheduled to be the largest single fundraiser in U.S. history, expected to bring in close to $15 million. Needless to say, there will be many attendees of the fundraiser who are vocal advocates for gay rights.
So what is ur opinion?? U.S. citizens have elected a black president, something that the majority once thought was blasphemous and untraditional! In actuality, it was liberalism and open-mindedness on the part of U.S. citizens that got Obama elected!! Is it hypocritical to now ask that our president not back a concept that is presently considered by so many to be blasphemous and untraditional? Are we guilty of possessing those same closed minds that once believed that a person of color could not take presidency?? Or do we feel that Obama has crossed the line? Is marriage an act of tradition of religion, and should it be defined by a man and a woman alone? Are civil unions enough for gay and lesbian couples??
I guess we’ll see in November….
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/09/politics/obama-same-sex-marriage/index.html (308)
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