National Post

Barack Obama says he now supports gay marriage
U.S. President Barack Obama says he now supports gay marriage, reversing a long-declared belief amid pressure from Democrats after Vice President Joe Biden declared his support earlier this week.

Obama told ABC News’ Robin Roberts that he had an “evolution” on the issue and he came to the decision after conversations with his family, staff members and openly gay and lesbian members of the military.

“When I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point 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 the interview which is to be aired Thursday. (Photos: AFP/Getty Images; Reuters)