While the president does not weigh in on every single ballot measure in every state, the record is clear that the president has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same-sex couples. That’s what the North Carolina ballot initiative would do—it would single out and discriminate against committed gay and lesbian couples—and that’s why the president does not support it.”
According to the AP, Cameron French, the Obama campaign’s North Carolina spokesman, joins NC native Clay Aiken in opposing the legislature’s proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriage. It’s illegal by statute right now but not in the state’s constitution; Obama won the state in 2008 and hopes to do so again.
Kev C
Obama has a wide stance on gay marriage.
Belize
@Kev C: He should be careful with that wide stance, his balls might fall out.
Jonathan
G-d bless Obama!
Cam
This speaks to the bullshit when the apologists for the GOP come in here and say things like
“Obama’s opinion on gay marriage is the same as our candidates!”
Yeah, let me know when any of the GOP guys running speaks out against this ballot measure.
Obama isn’t the best we could have hoped for but he is a hell of a lot better than McCain who fought against DADT repeal til the end, and against Romney, Santorum, Gingrich etc…
Shannon1981
Obama clearly opposes gay marriage bans. Just wait. As soon as he gets into the second term, he will say “I believe in marriage equality.”
Justin
@Shannon1981: Absolutely. If he were truly opposed to gay marriage but not supporting of the Federal ban, he would champion this amendment the way John Edwards did for Missouri’s in 2004.
He knows right now if he comes out in support he risks losing states like Virginia and Ohio that he has a shot at winning again. If he’s re-elected I see it coming sometime in early 2013.
Such BS from Obama
Obama does not support same gender marriage even if he wants to pretend that he does. He and his administration can claim they’re for LGBT rights but no other administration has defended DOMA more than Obama and his administration has. Then he comes out with total BS like this.
Shannon1981
@Justin: It is strategy at this point. He has to keep the black church vote(I can say that, I come from a family of AA folks who are church goers and are left leaning on everything BUT gay rights due to religious belief). Executive orders all around once he is re elected! I know that is a pipe dream, but please allow me a moment of pleasure.
Shannon1981
And to back up what I just said, and I wish I had a video…my mother just said quote, while looking at this screen “I love you, but you are going to hell. You are a woman, not a man.”
That isn’t relevant to Obama, because he does not think that way. but it IS relevant to the black church vote. I wish I had a video. I am in my kitchen with my mama right now and she said that.
She's right
Shannon your mom is correct, you’re always going to be a woman and you’re not a man.
Shannon1981
@She’s right: It is up to me, not you, to decide who I am and who I love. Moving on..
CBRad
@Shannon1981: Executive orders all around..? Just don’t know. That MIGHT happen.
Shannon1981
@CBRad: Could! He wants to, you know he does. Obama is not a homophobe.
Shannon1981
@Such BS from Obama: What are you smoking? Obama ordered the Department of Justice not to defend it and declared it unconstitutional.
Such BS from Obama
I’m not smoking what you clearly are which is either good herb, crack, or crystal meth.
Shannon1981
@Such BS from Obama: I don’t do drugs, thanks.
Bucky
All I can say is http://www.jillstein.org/stein_brings_equality_message_to_north_carolina
. . . In 2002, Dr. Stein was the first Massachusetts gubernatorial candidate to advocate for equal marriage rights in the first state to actually adopt the policy in 2004. Stein has been discussing the Massachusetts experience with her North Carolina supporters who are concerned with the impending vote on Amendment 1.
“When equal marriage rights came to Massachusetts, some people panicked, and said that it would destroy traditional marriage. I can definitively say now that all those fears proved to be unfounded. Marriage equality has enriched the lives of thousands of gay and lesbian couples and helped them realize their dreams. It hasn’t hurt anyone. We are all better off for it. Discrimination against caring people is what we should be worrying about.” . . .