THANK YOU MR. PRESIDENT

Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality:

https://my.democrats.org/Marriage

I've
always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly
and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the
very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that
conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution.

But
over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family
about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term,
committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through
our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to
know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with
honor and distinction.

What I've come to realize is that for
loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in
their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered
less than full citizens.

Even at my own dinner table, when I look
at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex
couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents
should be treated differently.

So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry.

I
respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions
to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the
eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where
states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack

***********************************************************

"The time to be happy is now.

The place to be happy is here.

The way to be happy

Is to make others so."

Elbert Hubbard

(From Maria's cards.)