Obama Backs Gay Marriage a Day After North Carolina Bans It

The News:

A day after North Carolina passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as between a man and a woman in that state, President Barack Obama became the first sitting president to announce his support for marriage equality, according to the Huffington Post.

In an interview today with ABC's Robin Roberts, the president explained his evolving stance on the issue.

"Over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, 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. 

Advocates for marriage equality have been pushing the president to commit to a position for years. It follows pro-gay marriage statements made by Vice President Joe Biden and Education Secretary Arne Duncan in recent days.

Presidential candidate Mitt Romney stated his opposition again to gay marriage and civil unions, the Huffington Post reported.

"...I do not favor marriage between people of the same gender, and I do not favor civil unions if they are identical to marriage other than by name," Romney said.

Your Thoughts?

What do you think of Obama's support for gay marriage today? Will it help or hurt his chances in November to go a second term in the White House? Do you support gay marriage? Tell us below.

How about Romney, is he behind the times? Do you think this is his personal position, or is he catering to the Republican right? Will it help his chances in November?