Officially pro-gay marriage: It's about time

Obama’s announcement Wednesday that he supports gay marriage came as a triumph and a relief after years of equivocation and insistence that he back gay rights.

 The announcement has been hailed as a historical breakthrough among leaders of the gay rights movement. It is especially refreshing to hear solid support of gay marriage from the president after President George Bush’s and current Republican presidential candidates’ staunch opposition to it.

Indeed, Obama’s announcement represents a milestone — he is the first United States president to officially support gay marriage and should be applauded for finally and clearly expressing his beliefs on the subject. Some have even compared Obama’s support to Kennedy’s push for a Civil Rights Act in 1963.

However, despite the significance of Obama’s announcement, it must be asked whether, after finally “talking the talk,” Obama will accordingly “walk the walk.” For, unlike Kennedy, Obama did not call for national legislation to end discrimination. Rather, he has maintained his earlier position that marriage laws should be left up to individual states.

Considering the law recently passed in North Carolina (which goes so far as to ban civil unions) and the measures to “protect marriage” in many other states, Obama’s continued assertion that leaving it up to the states is the best option seems weak.

What’s more, it certainly falls flat of the expectation created by his statement that he thinks “same-sex couples should be able to get married.”

Although Obama was careful to note that this is simply his own belief, something that is important to him personally, it will be unfortunate if this sentiment is never expressed through concrete action.

Supporting gay rights, as Obama has done (through, for example, the repeal of the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy), is vital. I am overjoyed and proud that he has done so. But the marriage issue is crucial and can only be resolved through drastic change — which means more than just talking.

Notwithstanding my own criticisms of Obama’s statement, however, I must say I am elated that he has finally said what needed to be said.

After all, appropriate action cannot be taken if
policy makers have not clarified their views.

­— ccleahy@indiana.edu