Marlo Thomas’ letter to President Obama: “By your example, others will look into their hearts and make that same journey”

I know there were plenty of people who were irritated that I posted about what Bristol Palin had to say about President Barack Obama’s historic announcement this week in favor of marriage equality.

To make up for it, how about we hear from a truly accomplished, talented and intelligent woman: Marlo Thomas.

She penned this letter for Huffington Post:

Before midday, Wednesday, May 8th, America was a different place. Millions of our people in all states were living in torment. They’d not only spent their young lives hiding who they were, they’d grown up to discover they had to hide who they loved.

How could that have ever fit the promise of “the pursuit of happiness?”

Thank you, President Obama, for being a true descendent of our Founding Fathers, and for living up to the ideals they set forth two-and-a-half centuries ago.

When you announced your support of same sex marriage, you did more than listen to your heart. You listened to the impassioned voices of millions of our citizens — gay, straight, family members, lovers, your own circle of friends — and you made the journey to this historic decision.

And I can’t help but hope that, by your example, others will look into their hearts and make that same journey.

Yes, this transforming event is about love. But it is also about life and death. We read daily about children and teenagers who are dying on the battlefield of homophobia, mocked for who they are and what they feel. Taunted and bullied for what they hold in their hearts. And driven to end their own lives because of it.

But now the leader of our nation has sent out the message that we, the people, acknowledge their right to be who they are, love who they want to love, and live with dignity and pride.

Thank you, Mr. President, for this remarkable triumph.