President Barack Obama’s Evolution on Same-sex Marriage
- October 2004
During President Obama’s 2004 run for U.S. Senate, President Obama stated, "what I believe is that marriage is between a man and a woman." He cited his faith as a foundation for his position, but also cited support for civil unions, visitation rights and other "basic rights" for gay and lesbian couples.”
- February 2007-
“President Obama described his parents’ interracial marriage as a correlation to the same-sex marriage debate. He reiterated that he supported civil rights like visitation rights and the ability to transfer property, but maintained that religion was an important factor in marriage.”
- August 2008-
“At a forum held by the pastor Rick Warren, President Obama reiterated that he believed marriage was "between a man and a woman," but stated that he opposed any constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, claiming that it was a matter of state law.”
- June 2009-
“President Obama signed a memorandum extending legal benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees and foreign affairs employees.”
- December 2010-
“President Obama said his feelings on same-sex marriage were "evolving" and that he "struggles with this." President Obama promised to continue to wrestle with the issue.
- June 2011-
“Claiming that he had done more than the previous 43 presidents to uphold civil rights for gay and lesbian partners, President Obama praised the decision in New York to recognize same-sex marriage but stopped short of a formal endorsement.”
- September 2011-
“President Obama reiterated his support for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, citing that his administration would not defend it in federal courts.”
- May 2012-
“In an interview with ABC, President Obama took a definitive stance on gay marriage, offering his endorsement.”
November 2012
December 2012
“Back on election night, Washington, Maryland, and Maine became the first states in history to pass gay marriage with a popular vote, and this morning" December 6, 2012, "that measure went into effect. Same-sex couples in Maryland can start obtaining their licenses (though they won't go into effect until January 1), while gay couples in Maine will be able to marry beginning on December 29."
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