Leaders react to Obama support of gay marriage

American Foundation For Equal Rights Board President Chad Griffin: “President Obama’s words today will be celebrated by generations to come. For the millions of young gay and lesbian Americans across this nation, their President’s words provide genuine hope that they will be the first generation to grow up with the freedom to fully pursue the American dream.  Marriage—the promise of love, companionship, and family—is basic to the pursuit of that dream.  Our Constitution’s promise, the promise of liberty, is one that every generation must realize.  As President Obama recognized today, the fight to secure marriage equality is the defining element of our generation’s search for greater freedom.”

GLAAD President Herndon Graddick: “The arc of history today bent a little closer to equality for every American. After hearing the stories of countless couples and families, President Obama has drawn the same conclusion shared across party lines and by a majority of Americans today: everyone deserves the opportunity to marry the person they love. As our nation draws closer to a more perfect union in which every person is created equal, we are left deeply encouraged by this truly watershed moment.”

Clarissa Filgioun, Equality California Board President: “Today is a new day in America. Today is a new day full of hope, promise and opportunity. A new day demands action–not just by our President and other political leaders, but by Equality California and supporters of equality like you and me. This day demands action not just because of the potential for positive change ahead of us, but because of the challenges we still face.”

Courage Campaign Founder and Chairman Rick Jacobs: “We are delighted that President Obama voiced his support for legalizing same-sex marriage.  He spoke honestly and with conviction, showing us again the Barack Obama of 2008, the man of passion who won our hearts. Full LGBT equality is now decidedly in the main stream which will help us in four state ballot fights this fall, with the public and with the courts.”

Republican Presidential Candidate Fred Karger: “I applaud President Obama for his strong statement and support for gay marriage today. We welcome him to the fight. He will be a great advocate as we do battle in four states this November. His timing is particularly helpful in light of the loss we suffered yesterday in North Carolina.
It’s nice to have another presidential candidate on board for full equality.”

Lambda Legal Executive Director, Kevin Cathcart: “We welcome the news that President Obama understands the importance of equality for all people in this country and we are excited that he joins the majority of Americans in supporting the freedom to marry. There is no bully pulpit bigger than the President’s, and loving, committed same-sex couples across the country – and all of us – thank him for using it to speak up for justice and fairness. The momentum for marriage equality is building across the country. When people have a chance to think deeply about marriage equality, they come to the right answer – that discrimination against our families is wrong. There’s so much more work to be done. Right now, Lambda Legal is fighting in the courts for marriage equality in New Jersey and Nevada. There will be more fights at the ballot in November. In my thirty years working in the LGBT movement, it has become easier to recognize watershed moments – and this is one. And we know we’re winning because these watershed moments are beginning to happen closer together.”

Rep. Barney Frank: “Earlier this year, President Obama took a major step towards vindicating the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people to marry when he announced his refusal to defend the Defense of Marriage Act’s blatant discrimination against us. Today he has taken the next logical step to complete the process by expressing his support for our right to marry people of the same sex. I understand why a President facing a national election took some time in making this decision, and I believe that the fact that he first announced his repudiation of DOMA gave him a chance to assess the reaction to that. I know there are those who wish that elected officials would completely ignore public opinion – of course only in those cases where they do not agree with public opinion – but that is not a realistic course in a democracy for those seeking to get the authority from the public to govern. This does not meant that the President’s decision today was entirely without some political risk, but I believe it will be clear in the days ahead that this will cost him no votes, since those opposed to legal equality for LGBT people were already inclined to oppose him, and that it will make it easier for us to mobilize the people in this country who oppose discrimination to help reelect him.”

Lorri L. Jean, Chief Executive Officer of L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center: “Mr. President, your support of marriage equality caps a presidential record on LGBT rights that is unparalleled in the history of our nation and I sincerely hope more candidates will follow your example. Whatever support our friends may communicate to us privately about the freedom for same-sex couples to marry, we need—and expect—them to stand with us (and the majority of Americans) publicly. Silence in the face of discrimination never has been, and never will be, acceptable.”