Subject: Marriage
From: "Barack Obama" <[email-masked]>
To: <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 9 May 2012 20:13:38 -0400

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/Marriage1

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: 

http://my.barackobama.com/Marriage1

Thank you,

Barack

-----
More than 1.9 million people like you power this campaign. 
If you can, please donate today: 

https://donate.barackobama.com/Donate-Footer1

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Paid for by Obama for America

Contributions or gifts to Obama for America are not tax deductible

This email was sent to: [email-masked]
To update your address, go to: http://www.barackobama.com/change-address?email=[email-masked]
To unsubscribe, go to: http://my.barackobama.com/unsubscription