President
Obama has made history by endorsing marriage equality for gays and
lesbians. “I want everyone treated fairly in this country. We have never
gone wrong when we’ve extended rights and responsibilities to
everybody,” he said. “That doesn’t weaken families, that strengthens
families.”
Obama’s announcement came two days after Republican rival Mitt Romney gave a commencement address at the evangelical Liberty University in Virginia, where he made social issues a main theme of his remarks and touched on the marriage storyline.
“Culture matters. As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate,” Romney said. “So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.”
While the full political implications of the president’s same-sex marriage remarks remain to be seen, Gallup released a poll showing 51% of Americans approve of Obama’s support for gay couples to marry. A further breakdown of the numbers shows a significant gender gap: Fifty-six percent of women say couples of the same gender should be legally allowed to marry, while 42% of men feel the same way.
The issue became prime political fodder, with several high-profile Republicans pouncing on the president’s remarks.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he “wasn’t sure that (Obama’s) views on marriage could get any gayer,” sparking laughs among his audience at an event held by Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus also made headlines when he said that same-sex marriage was not a “matter of civil rights.”
“I think it’s just a matter of whether or not we’re going to adhere to something that’s been historical and religious and legal in this country for many, many years,” Priebus said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” I mean, marriage has to have a definition, and we just happen to believe it’s between a man and woman.”
We live in an interesting and important time. Will history be made or will we be set back and forced to wait for equality, our human rights and our freedom?
Obama’s announcement came two days after Republican rival Mitt Romney gave a commencement address at the evangelical Liberty University in Virginia, where he made social issues a main theme of his remarks and touched on the marriage storyline.
“Culture matters. As fundamental as these principles are, they may become topics of democratic debate,” Romney said. “So it is today with the enduring institution of marriage. Marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman.”
While the full political implications of the president’s same-sex marriage remarks remain to be seen, Gallup released a poll showing 51% of Americans approve of Obama’s support for gay couples to marry. A further breakdown of the numbers shows a significant gender gap: Fifty-six percent of women say couples of the same gender should be legally allowed to marry, while 42% of men feel the same way.
The issue became prime political fodder, with several high-profile Republicans pouncing on the president’s remarks.
Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky said he “wasn’t sure that (Obama’s) views on marriage could get any gayer,” sparking laughs among his audience at an event held by Iowa’s Faith and Freedom Coalition.
Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus also made headlines when he said that same-sex marriage was not a “matter of civil rights.”
“I think it’s just a matter of whether or not we’re going to adhere to something that’s been historical and religious and legal in this country for many, many years,” Priebus said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” I mean, marriage has to have a definition, and we just happen to believe it’s between a man and woman.”
We live in an interesting and important time. Will history be made or will we be set back and forced to wait for equality, our human rights and our freedom?
