President Obama opposes NC’s anti-gay amendment

Following yesterday's passage of an anti-gay constitutional amendment in the North Carolina General Assembly, President Barack Obama issued a statement opposing the discriminatory law that will put the freedom to marry up for a statewide vote during the Republican primary election in May 2012. In a statement released to the Washington Blade yesterday, White House spokesperson Shin Inouye said:

“The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples,” Inouye said. “That’s why he has called for repeal of the so-called ‘Defense of Marriage Act’ and determined that his Administration would no longer defend the constitutionality of DOMA in the courts. He has also said that the states should determine for themselves how best to uphold the rights of their own citizens.

Inouye continued, “While the President does not weigh in on every single action taken by legislative bodies in our country, the record is clear that the President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same sex couples. The President believes strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away.” 

This is not the first time that the President has spoken out against constitutional amendments that discriminate against gay and lesbian couples. The White House issued a similar statement in May following the Minnesota legislature's passage of a constitutional amendment that will appear on the ballot in November 2012. President Obama has also recently endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act, the bill that would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act at the federal level.

Freedom to Marry applauds the Obama Adminstration's outspoken opposition to laws designed to deny critical protections to same-sex couples and their family. However, as the President's views on marriage continue to evolve, we urge him to go one step further and support marriage for all loving and committed couples.

Over 117,000 Americans, including Hollywood celebrities and civil rights leaders, have signed on to our campaign asking the President to "Say I do" to the freedom to marry. Click here to co-sign our open letter to the President.