Politics Plus

I can identify with Barack Obama’s evolution on gay rights, as over the years, my own view has evolved from hostile homophobia, through tolerance, through acceptance of civil unions, but not marriage to where I stand now in full support of LGBT  rights.  The journey would not have been possible without the friendship and patience of several gay and lesbian friends over the years, who taught me through their patience with me and tolerance of me that friends are friends, because they are friends, regardless of who they love.

I see this as a complex issue because marriage is both a civil and a religious institution.  If a denomination or congregation opts to define LGBT as sin, that is their prerogative.  There should be no requirement for them to preform ceremonies to which they object.  But they have no right to impose their objection on denominations and congregations that accept LGBT couples, let alone prevent civilly perfor5mned weddings.  Their sanctity of marriage argument fails.  Good grief!  When a heterosexual couple can go to Vegas and be married by an Elvis impersonator, how can anyone claim that the sanctity of that union is superior to a gay marriage?  The sanctity of a marriage depends on the quality of the relationship between two individuals, not their gender.  Also, there is no justification for a civilly performed marriage to be distinct from a religiously performed marriage in any way.

Yesterday I received an email from the Obama campaign.

Friend –

Today, I was asked a direct question and gave a direct answer:

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.

If you agree, you can stand up with me here.

Thank you,

Barack

And here is that video.

Rachel Maddow’s input is particularly significant, given her personal struggle for justice on this issue over the years.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Even if Obama has not made this statement, his policies have been better for LGBT rights than any other President ever. That’s what matters most.

To my LGBT friends, I share your joy, as do all people of good will.