Election Year

I have always believed same sex couples should be allowed to marry.  What rang true in Obama's statement today, in my eyes, was his questioning of how America can continue to shape children into believing that some Americans have rights while others do not based only on their beliefs and lifestyle? These children, who like Obama said, would never think twice that same sex couples don't have equal rights; and this includes my own son.  Phin has 2 different friends in school who have same sex parents, and yes he has asked why one has two daddies and the other two moms, but it would never cross his mind that they are not or should not be treated fairly, why would it, why should it?! We teach our children to respect others beliefs and choices in life, and this point is no different. It's about time. I am proud of my president today for standing for what is right, not what may be or not be politically correct in an election year. My response to Obama's statement below today: I believe that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. I hope you'll take a moment to watch the conversation, consider it, and weigh in yourself on behalf of marriage equality: http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage I've always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally. I was reluctant to use the term marriage because of the very powerful traditions it evokes. And I thought civil union laws that conferred legal rights upon gay and lesbian couples were a solution. But over the course of several years I've talked to friends and family about this. I've thought about members of my staff in long-term, committed, same-sex relationships who are raising kids together. Through our efforts to end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, I've gotten to know some of the gay and lesbian troops who are serving our country with honor and distinction. What I've come to realize is that for loving, same-sex couples, the denial of marriage equality means that, in their eyes and the eyes of their children, they are still considered less than full citizens. Even at my own dinner table, when I look at Sasha and Malia, who have friends whose parents are same-sex couples, I know it wouldn't dawn on them that their friends' parents should be treated differently. So I decided it was time to affirm my personal belief that same-sex couples should be allowed to marry. I respect the beliefs of others, and the right of religious institutions to act in accordance with their own doctrines. But I believe that in the eyes of the law, all Americans should be treated equally. And where states enact same-sex marriage, no federal act should invalidate them.