Obama's Stand

Just yesterday, President Obama opened the eyes of millions globally with his new perspective on a very controversial topic.  And this topic could be the defining moment of his current presidency, his reelection, and possibly even his presidency for the next four years.  Yesterday, it was announced that Obama would be speaking with Good Morning America, announcing that he thought that same-sex marriage "should be legal." 

This has sparked a fire in the nation as states are debating whether to allow it to be legal, or to permanently ban it in the constitution, as well as political and celebrity figures coming out with thier opinion on the issue.  And from personal experience, it is forcing people to voice their true opinion, whether good or bad.  But I think it is about time that this issue be addressed, and allow equality once and for all!

In the interview with Good Morning America, Obama says, "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...Malia and Sasha believe discrimination against gay marriage "doesn't make sense to them" and frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective...This is something that, you know, we've [Mr. and Mrs. Obama] talked about over the years and she, you know, she feels the same way, she feels the same way that I do."

This interview came just a day after North Carolina passed the Amendment One bill by a landslide to allow the ban of Gay Marriage.  Many think that it didn't matter the timing of Obama's interview, the Amendment would have been passed, but it would have sparked more people in to joining the fight.  We discussed in on my last post, and we know how damaging this bill is to families in general. 

Opponent, and most likely Republican candidate Mitt Romney quickly responded to Obama's interview, with a completly view.  "When these issues were raised in my state of Massachusetts I indicated my view which is I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender and I don't favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name...My view is that domestic partnership benefits, hospital visitation rights and the like are appropriate but the others are not."

Obama has already recieved praise from his statement.  Many gay rights organizations, Twitter and Facebook have flooded with supportive comments.  But not all have been supportive.  Many are disappointed with his decision to support it, and say it will hurt him at the ballots this fall. 

If this will hurt his election, we don't know for sure.  I personally think it will only help him.  Whether this move was made to increase his chances of winning in the fall, or because of a personal reason, it makes him look like Abraham Lincoln and JFK in terms of leaders of equal rights.  I think this will unite the Democratic party, and rally the youth to support this overwhelmingly.  Unfortunately, we can't expect federal involvement now because Obama does believe that it should be up to the states to decide.  But I think that eventually public opinion will be the same, and it will be allowed nation-wide. 

It will only get heated from this point.  Already I have discussed this with 3 people, and had a heated debate with one of them, with a polite disagreement with another.  Many oppose this, and opposition will continue to grow.  But I am sure that we won't back track now, we can only go further, and the gay community will recieve the same rights that they deserve!

-Tyler