Obama Supports Same-Sex Marriage: What Do You Think?

Barack Obama became the first sitting American president to come out in support of same-sex marriage, going a step beyond the civil unions he already supported. But, he added, states should have the right to make their own marriage laws.

Obama made the statement to ABC News in an interview with Robin Roberts.

“As I said, I’ve been going through an evolution on this issue,” Obama said in the interview. “I’ve always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. … But I hesitated on gay marriage in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient.”

The president regularly said his position was gay marriage was “evolving.” Discussions with friends and thinking about soldiers who defend the country but, until recently, couldn’t serve if they were openly gay pushed him toward supporting gay marriage rights.

Vice President Joe Biden somewhat forced Obama’s hand on the issue. Biden said in an NBC interview earlier this week that he is “absolutely comfortable” with gay marriage.

Obama’s announcement comes a day after North Carolina voters supported a ban on gay marriages in the state. Many southern and central states have banned same-sex marriages, while just a handful provide full marriage equality. Still more states, including New Jersey, offer civil unions.

Obama said same-sex marriage should remain a state issue.

Garden State Equality's Chair Steven Goldstein described himself as “overwhelmed with tears of joy” at the news.

“We will remember for the rest of our lives where we were when we heard the sitting president of the United States say he supports marriage equality,” Goldstein said in a statement. “… Short of when America becomes a land of marriage equality, this is the happiest day of our political lives. I'm on Cloud 18."

What do you think of Obama’s announcement? Vote in the poll and tell us in the comments.