Our Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 that prohibits giving recognition to same-sex marriages. The decision received widespread approval among American citizens at the time, with many citing morality and religion as the primary consideration behind their decision. Fast forward almost 15 years later, and a completely different picture emerges.

Most Americans have favored same-sex marriage since mid-2010. The latest Gallup poll on 29 May 2011 showed 53% of Americans saying same-sex marriage should be legalized with all the same rights as other marriages, vs. 45% saying it should not. Over the last 12 years, 21 states covering 130 million Americans chose some form of marriage equality: 7 have same-sex marriage (CT, DC, IA, MA, NH, NY, VT), 5 have civil union (DE, HI, IL, NJ, RI), and 9 have domestic partnership (CA, CO, MD, ME, NV, NM, OR, WA, WI). In 2012, legislators and/or citizens will vote on same-sex marriage in 7 states (ME, MD, MN, NH, NC, RI, WA).

With some high profile celebrity unions and marriages in the last couple of years, the issue is bound to be raised again in the run up, and it would be interesting to hear the position of our candidates on the matter.

With contributions from Mr. Ned Flaherty

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Comment on Same Sex Issues

Declared 2012 Democratic Presidential Candidate
Current President of the United States

Barack Obama

Obama Position on Same Sex Issues

• All through his 2008 campaign, Barack Obama had been a staunch supporter of gay rights and had
proved that stand by sponsoring legislation in the state of Illinois which aims to ban any
discrimination which is based on the sexual orientation of a particular individual.

• Being a firm believer in gay equality, Barack Obama supports the Employment Non-Discrimination
Act which provides consideration for sexual orientation and gender identity. This is in response to
a personal observation made by Obama that although many employers extend benefits to the families of
their employees, there are some who still practice discrimination because of the sexual preference.

• However, Obama does not support same-sex marriage saying that it is an issue which should be
decided by each of the states individually by taking into account their existing social conditions.
While he opposes same-sex marriage, he supports civil unions between same-sex couples.

• Reacting to the 'don't ask, don't tell' policy of the military, Obama has taken the stance that
the criteria for military service should be patriotism towards one's country, a sense of duty and
responsibility and the willingness to serve in such a service. In such a situation, he is against
the present policy of decommissioning soldiers on the basis of their sexual orientation as he feels
that this is akin to going against the goals of national defense.

• Continuing his role as a protector of children, Obama believes that a healthy and loving home is
the right of every child and should be granted to him irrespective of the sexual orientation of the
parents.

• In January 2008, Obama addressed homophobia in the African-American community. He was speaking
to 2,000 worshippers on the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday at one of the nations
premier black churches, Atlantas Ebenezer Baptist Church, where King once preached. He stated,
If we are honest with ourselves, we'll acknowledge that our own community has not always been
true to Kings vision of a beloved community, we have scorned our gay brothers and sisters instead
of embracing them.