Obama on Same-Sex Marriage

by Clemency Flitter

It has been a highly contentious issue in American politics for some years now, with many politicians using clever words and neat quotes to scurry around the topic but now President Obama has spoken outright that same-sex marriage should be legalised in America. Obama has himself seemingly been avoiding making a clear statement for some time; instead describing himself as “evolving” on the issue. This turn of events is sure to bring hope to supporters of same-sex marriage across America and in the wider world. However, this comes just a day after the state of North Caroline voted to ban same-sex marriages and similar amendments have taken place in roughly 30 other states, so is the issue any closer to being solved?

While many want same-sex marriage to be banned by the state, not even allowing civil partnership, opponents of the move to ban same-sex marriage have often stressed that the issue isn’t a political one and therefore should not be controlled by the state. They say that whether or not a same-sex couple can get married should be up to the church they wish to get married at as most of the arguments against same-sex marriage are religious rather than political.

North Carolina voted to ban same-sex marriages

That is not to say that there will be no political ramifications of what Obama said. As elections get closer and closer and statements made by either Obama or his presumptive Republican rival, Mitt Romney, will be deeply scrutinised. A bold statement such as this is bound to put a spin on the opinion polls as there are still a lot of people strongly opposed and in favour of same-sex marriage. By making this statement Obama has also put himself at sharper odds with Romney (who is deeply opposed to same-sex marriage and favours an amendment to ban in completely in America).

However, this new view expressed by Obama has already gained him backing by some of his fellow politicians. Senator Kristen Gillibrand, Democrat of New York (one of the few states where same-sex marriage is legal), has said that “The president’s unequivocal support today in favour of all committed couples to marry the person they love is a watershed moment in American history that will provide the leadership needed to finally repeal DOMA [Defence of Marriage Act] and win the unfinished fight for equality for all Americans.” Politicians aren’t the only one’s showing their support - people in the media spotlight such as Neil Patrick Harris and Perez Hilton have already turned to Twitter to praise Obama on his straight talking response to a commonly asked question.

Personally I'm glad that a politician as important as Barack Obama has decided to stop sitting on the fence on big issues such as same-sex marriage. As someone in favour of civil rights I'm really pleased to see such an advance forward after so many steps back with many states banning same-sex marriages.

So what do you think? Was Obama wise to step off the fence so close to the elections? What are your views on civil rights? Leave a comment - I'd love to hear your opinions.

by Clemency Flitter