President Obama announced Wednesday that he believes same-sex couples should be granted the right to marry, becoming the first U.S. president in history to fully embrace that level of civil rights for gays.
Obama’s announcement gave an immediate jolt to the decades-long movement for gay equality at a moment when a growing number of states are moving to ban — or legalize — same-sex unions and as polls show a majority of Americans support marriage rights.
For Obama personally, the disclosure completed a long conversion process that advisers said ended earlier this year after soul-searching and talks with his family.
“I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama said in an interview with Robin Roberts of ABC News.
Obama had hinted at that sentiment for years as he repeatedly said his views on gay marriage were “evolving,” but his statement still came as a dramatic election-year revelation that promised to energize advocates on both sides. Gay rights activists and many Democrats embraced the news, but some religious leaders, including one of Obama’s spiritual advisers, said they were distraught.
The potential dangers for Obama could be seen just one day before his announcement, when voters in North Carolina, a swing state critical to his reelection, voted overwhelmingly for a state constitutional amendment to ban same-sex unions. Obama hinted at the rapidly shifting political fault lines on Wednesday, saying he had weighed the teachings of his Christian faith against a growing pro-marriage consensus among younger Americans — a key target group for his reelection campaign.
“You know, when I go to college campuses, sometimes I talk to college Republicans who think that I have terrible policies on the economy, on foreign policy, but are very clear that when it comes to same-sex equality or, you know, sexual orientation, that they believe in equality,” Obama said in the interview, excerpts of which were aired during a rare midday newscast.
“They are much more comfortable with it,” Obama continued. “You know, Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples. There have been times where Michelle and I have been sitting around the dinner table and we’re talking about their friends and their parents and Malia and Sasha, it wouldn’t dawn on them that somehow their friends’ parents would be treated differently. It doesn’t make sense to them and, frankly, that’s the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective.”
Advocates put the announcement in historic terms, calling it an unprecedented moment of validation from the country’s most important political figure. Many said that Obama’s self-described evolution matched the thought process for non-gay Americans and that his comments could help push others to support marriage rights.
“President Obama made history by boldly stating that gay and lesbian Americans should be fully and equally part of the fabric of American society and that our families deserve nothing less than the equal respect and recognition that comes through marriage,” said Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay rights group close to the White House. The group’s incoming president, Chad Griffin, a major Obama fundraiser who has repeatedly pressed the president in personal conversations to support gay marriage, added that Obama’s words “will be celebrated by generations to come.”
Source: Washington Post
May 10, 2012 at 2:05 pm
I would like to ask you Dominque to be neutral in your journalistic approach by leting the callers speak…when they call in to your radio program…you always remind the public audience that “it is your show”, great there is something called radio etiquette.. You do not have kitchen table conversation as you say on many topics…its either cut the caller off…interrupt them while they are speaking…because you do not like or agree with their viewpoint or time to go to 20 minutes of commercials and news (out of a 1.5 hour show) you use must of it up with you interruptions (come on because your unconfortable where the subject is going…that is not okay). Please let people have a voice…open up the phone lines early not 5 minutes to the end with 10 seconds to speak…REALLY, REALLY! Do not have the topic to be about the President and his views…which is what they are on gay marriage. I support my President of the United States but not in all areas and this is one of them.. I will I be voting for the best candidate for this entire country…you are darn skippy, I will. LET THE PEOPLE SPEAK or have another topic tomorrow and beyond and please work on holding your peace more often (your rambaling eats up 85% of the time expect with Dick Gregory is on…Let the people talk…we are up at the crack of dawn with you….not matter what you say. What’s good…you say “Life, Health and Wellness”. Thank you very much…peace I’m out…as Martin would say”. I agree!
May 11, 2012 at 6:18 am
Agreed. I listened to the show for the first time and I was in disbelief by the constant interjections when anyone said something opposing to Dominique’s opinions, iedologies, world view, etc. I suggest that KJLH offer a forum of dialogue where people can share opinions without being personally or emotionally attacked. Ms. Duprima needs a cohost to offer the community a different perspective since she is unable to do so with callers. I used to have alot of respect for her, but listening to the nonsense today, well…not so much anymore. 🙁
May 10, 2012 at 6:33 pm
No way, you can’t be neutral on a moving train. Take a position.
Steve Harvey is the arrogant one who seems to come across as arrogant because he’s always talking about how he “has a show” and he rarely if ever has anything intelligent to say at all. Just a bunch of jokes that aren’t even funny. (The movie “Think Like a Man” was pretty good though.)
Anyhow, I like how Dominique is sort of militant (like Malcolm X) and takes a position, and will cut you off if you don’t get to the point within 50 seconds. Frontpage is not free therapy, time is limited. Duh!
Since the show is only 90 minutes long, people need to figure out what they want to say before they call in and then get to the point. Make it plain. I find it very annoying sometimes when listening to callers jump from topic to topic and talking about everything under the sun without making any valid point. Its a waste of time. So, when you call in know what you want to say before you say it and then say it. Get to the point. And do it succinctly. Most callers take for ever and a day to make their point, if they make any point at all. Fifty seconds is more than enough time.
I listened to Dick Gregory when he was on the Frontpage radio show recently and too me he came across as uninformed. I got up and turned off my radio. Tavis Smiley is my favorite, he’s informed and rocks the boat when necessary. We need folks to rock the boat or flip it over when necessary, when discussing sensitive issues that affect our community. Its good to offend people sometimes because it makes them think.
We don’t need a bunch of laughers and comedians, we need thinkers.
I don’t think Diprima should dumb-down her show…and it is obvious that if the callers can’t get in to talk then the show’s time should be extended from 90 minutes to at least three hours. Stevie Wonder should have done this a long time ago. Then there would be more time to really flesh out the issues. Especially when dealing with callers who can’t get straight to the point and ramble on and on.
I think Gay marriage is a very controversial topic and I can’t wait to tune in to tomorrow’s show. This is going to be a fun one.
May 15, 2012 at 10:24 pm
Hello Dominique and Average Gal I agree with some of your comment, but we should remember that everybody is not good at speaking on the radio or in front of a audiance. I’ve been listening to the Front Page since 92 with Carl and Jamal however I don’t get to call in because I’m trying to get ready for work and don’t have the time to wait on the phone. However I do wish we had a time in the evening or at least a re-broadcast, so younger people could get some of this information. We use to have the Good Life to go to and carry on the conversation unfortunately that’s no more. I am concern about one thing and I knw Dominique like to be a eternal optimist and love’s the President. I like President Obama also, but I don’t agree with everything he does. As far as his opinion everybody has one and I hope like hell people aren’t dumb enough to fall for the old Divide and Conquer and don’t VOTE or VOTE for the oposition. Because what they have in store for us is a hundred times worse. Imagine not having Social Security, Medicare, and maybe Disability and if we think the Corporate World is some how going to have a Heart and hire millions of people and give them Retirement, Health Care and Livable Wages we are worst than Dumb we are Stupid. Trying to put our heads in the sand and praying this is just a Dream and some how when we rise up everything is going to be wonderful, no these people are Serious. Marching down the street with candles crying in front of the camera is not going to mean a thing because these people are Heartless. As far as Steve goes I lkie him to even though he’s not allways funny on the Radio, remember he is a Comedian even though he’s at least serious about the re-election of the President reguardless of what his opinion is. That’s more than I can say about a lot of Negro’s I talk to. I say that not as a term of endearment. Bye for now ( People Please Vote)
May 16, 2012 at 12:09 am
@ Ron
You got a good point regarding some people just aren’t good at speaking or might be nervous. Hadn’t really given much consideration to that. But, if thinking about it, I was a little nervous (and not even sure why) when I called into the show for the first time last week to voice my opinions.
I used to listen to Frontpage here and there, but I just started back listening to the show when I woke up early several weeks ago, happened to turn on the radio and heard the Trayvon Martin case being covered on Frontpage extensively. So, that really caught my attention.
Anyhow, I agree with many of your above points. That’s why I admire President Obama because he’s for women’s right, i.e., equal pay for equal work, pro-choice, improved job opportunities and education for women, etc. Plus, the President he has two young girls so he is going to protect their futures.
The voter turnout from women, blacks, young adults, gays/lesbians, are going to be the one’s who decide this election. Just like in 2008. I don’t agree with everything Obama does and of course he’s not God but he’s achieved some big milestones for the poor and working class, and he’s obviously better than the alternative. Change is happening incrementally and we can’t give up on our President right now over a single “gay marriage” it is just stupid.
Regarding Steve Harvey…a woman doesn’t need a man telling her how to think. How sexist. I’m just laughing because its funny how Steve Harvey wrote a book telling women how to “think” in an effort to hold on to a man and he couldn’t even hold on to his own wife. So, he’s the last one to be taking any relationship advice from since he quit his own wife, cheated on her, and bailed out his own marriage and didn’t save it. Lead by example.
In fact, if more men thought like women and acted like men then the world would be a far better place.
May 11, 2012 at 6:39 am
Dominique is on that bu!!$h*t…click below to listen to this song. “Shut yo’ mouth when grown folks is speakin”!
http://youtu.be/9o-0tN3VXUA
May 15, 2012 at 6:26 am
Haha..
I agree with jo smith and Truth Speaks.. Miss DiPrima does cut folk off whenever she doesn’t agree. She’s not cutting them off because of rambling. The show is good on merit but DiPrima can have a bit more of an objective mind. Not everybody believes in Obama. Not everybdy is willing to follow him so blindly. Not anymore.
Wish I had more time here but I gotta get to work but I just wanna say briefly to Average Gal.. You sure do like Miss DiPrima don’t you?! Is it possible that YOU ARE INDEED MISS DIPRIMA in disguise??
Hmmm..lol…
May 15, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Locthiese if your aginst voting for the President than what do you think Romney is going to do for you? Do you understand what the oposition is about and what they stand for? What do you think they’re going to do for the average working and poor people? I don’t always agree with President Obama, but he’s all we got right now. If we had of suported each other more maybe we wouldn’t have to realy on the President so much.
May 15, 2012 at 5:09 pm
@ Locthiese
I’m not Dominique Diprima. You are hilarious!
I like her she’s cool. Haha, not in a “lesbian” kind of way if you’re trying to be funny. No homo.
She doesn’t sugarcoat stuff and I admire and respect that.
I just like listening to differing viewpoints and ideas, hearing people debate intelligently, and seeing how other people think especially when challenging the status quo, e.g., President Obama, Howard Zinn, Malcolm X, Mao Tse Tung, etc.
And, I have been accepted to law school…so of course I’m going to express my thoughts and me posting my comments on here is some good practice.
May 18, 2012 at 6:06 am
Ron
I am well aware of the political landscape. I have no illusions of the right wing party. I submit that IT’S ALL A GAME!! Like the WWE, all the wrestlers curse, slam and fight each other but at the end of the day they all go in shoot steroids, smoke, drink and party together.. WITH OUR MONEY NO LESS!! I do agree with you when you say that if we stuck together more we wouldn’t have to rely on presidents and such. I can’t truly dig that..
Average Gal
Just checking…… (Hmmmmmmmm……)….