WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Thursday reaffirmed his support for marriage equality, and called on Americans to support the freedom to marry when they vote on ballot measures in Maine, Maryland and Washington.
The statement follows the president’s announcement in May that he supports same-sex marriage, saying he evolved from supporting civil unions for gay and lesbian couples to support for full marriage rights.
In Washington state, the “same-sex marriage law would treat all Washington couples equally, and that is why the President supports a vote to approve Referendum 74,” said Paul Bell, regional press secretary for the Obama-Biden campaign, in a statement.
In a similar statement regarding Maine’s ballot initiative to legalize same-sex marriage, Michael Czin, Northeast regional press secretary for the campaign, said, “The president believes same-sex couples should be treated equally and supports Question 1.”
In Maryland, Obama is heard endorsing same-sex marriage in a new radio ad being aired by supporters of Question 6, that state’s ballot measure that would legalize gay unions. The ad, which is airing in both the Washington and Baltimore markets, features a clip from Obama’s ABC News interview in May in which he talked about having “evolved” on the issue.
“The president’s historic announcement of his support for marriage equality earlier this year sent a powerful message, particularly to LGBT youth, that no one’s hope of achieving the American dream should be curtailed simply because of who they are. In Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington, we enter the final two weeks of this hard-fought campaign knowing that the president of the United States joins our entire community in supporting their efforts to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect,” said Griffin.
“Today President Obama added a strong and personal ‘I do’ to voters still making up their minds on whether to support the freedom to marry in Maine, Maryland, and Washington this election, and Freedom to Marry applauds the president’s moral leadership in standing up for families, fairness, and freedom,” said Evan Wolfson, founder and president of Freedom to Marry.“As the president said in May, ‘Same-sex couples should be able to get married … when we think about our faith, it’s also the golden rule.’ The right thing to do on these ballot-measures is to vote to treat others just as you would want to be treated – and let loving and committed couples share in the freedom to marry,” added Wolfson.
The president has previously spoken out against a Minnesota proposal to exclude gays and lesbians from marriage in the state constitution. Washington residents are already voting by mail, while voters in the other three states will vote at the polls on Nov. 6.
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This is pretty much the only reason I voted for him (by mail).
President Obama has many many redeeming qualities
Thank you, Mr. President.
It’s should be a federal ballot initiative if its something to vote about. But it shouldn’t be something to vote about. We shoul just have equal rights period !!!! “O” 2012
https://my.barackobama.com/page/share/progress-for-lgbt-americans
Obama/Biden 2012!
Obama is a conman who picked up the cause late in the game just to get a few votes !! This issue is dear to our hearts but shouldn’t be held above all the damage this charletan has and will do to ALL.
Calvin so that is why you are supporting Romney because Mitt is sooooo marriage equality?
Thank-you! Mr. President. THANK-YOU THANK YOU !!!!!!!
A gay man voting for Romney…talk about voting against your best interests!
There are gay men and women that do and will vote Republican …I don’t get it….Thank you Mr President!
<3
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Brian, I may vote romney, citing a lack of choices, but that would be because the issues that affect ALL americans and the future of our country are feduciary– For me to vote strictly based on an issue that affects those I love at the exclusion of those outside that sphere, would be essentially the same as feeding my family and watching my neighbors starve–
Calvin is a dumbass…lean the facts their buddy, Romney/Ryan not good for anyone but the rich, hence why his TAX plan will in fact increase for everyone but be lowered for the RICH….don’t believe me look it up! OBAMA 2012 OBAMA 2012 OBAMA 2012
Slinging words is like…. not really tactful. I mean, it’s pretty obvious Romney is a monster (cwutididthur :3 ironyhuh? :333). A horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible monster. But like, this is exactly why politics is a bad subject to cover. Words always end up getting slung around and it gets ugly. Look, Obama has a good idea here. I like it. Romney is a money grubbing grubber, who will grub the world and treat people like cogs in his wheel as he continues to grub-grub everything! Okay, I just wanted to type the word grub. Anyways, Obama is pretty lazy IMO. I’d rather have someone who will do what I sorta expect than have someone who has said some outrageous things and has stances that are like…. totally not mine. But like, I’d rather not have either. Both are bad choices IMO.
James is a oneway brainwashed self serving dyed in the wool -headline reader who has never researched a thing for himself-IS WHAT I WOULD SAY if I resorted to personal attacks every time I disagreed but had no argument- Obama IS RICH and has been for DECADES !!! FOOL– All he does is feed his friends and retirement kitty– They are BOTH LIARS and theives and serve only to perpetuate their ilk– but make sure you let ONE aspect of your life define your entire person and vote only in the way that MAY benefit you and .. well.. Fu*k all else—
Well naturally he does, election time is coming ever closer. I’m all for equality, even when I’m not putting someone in office. Where’s the heavy support when you’re sitting comfy in the Oval Office; well Mr Obama?
:)
Again, this is about gay rights and a major development for that movement. One of the two major parties have publically endorced gay civil rights. The other one would make gays second-class citizents.
Note the Log Cabin Republicans have endorced the other party and for that have publicly shamed themselves by abandoning their cause in favor of money and social connections.
I respect that! : ) I’m voting for Obama.
Obama iz de way forward.
Sad so sad folks. Obama gad 4 years with a democratic Congress. This could have been passed 4 years ago but he is Muslim. Muslims believe gays are infidels and must die. You have a better chabce of Romney passing this than Obams! Geesh use your common sense abd think!
he is a person not only Muslim so don’t stereotype him as his falter
Except if Romney pass if he bans gay marriage guess what his 2nd move after that is? More straight camps and sexuality therapies.