Obama Says New York’s Marriage Debate Is Example of Democracy
President Barack Obama told gay rights activists and supporters that he believes New York is doing “exactly what democracies are supposed to do” by considering legislation to allow gay couples to wed.
Obama said he believes gay couples “deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country,” stopping short of endorsing same-sex marriage. He didn’t respond to a member of the audience who yelled, “Say yes to marriage.”
The president was speaking to more than 500 Democratic Party donors from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community at a Manhattan fundraiser.
While Obama has backed civil unions, he hasn’t endorsed gay marriage. At a news conference last December, Obama said his views on the issue “are constantly evolving. I struggle with this.”
His stance has prompted criticism from some supporters in the gay community. That was highlighted by the situation in New York, where legislation to let gay couples wed is stalled in the Republican-run state Senate. The measure passed last week in the Assembly, where Democrats have a majority.
“Its a little weird for Obama to be there in New York and not support gay marriage, it’s the pink elephant in the room,” said John Aravosis, the founder of the AMERICAblog website and an Obama supporter in 2008.
Aravosis said he raised $43,000 for Obama during the 2008 campaign and that he’s undecided about whether he will do the same in 2012.
Voter Enthusiasm
“Enthusiasm matters even if a significant number of gay people end up voting for Obama, you need turnout, you need donors,” Aravosis said in a telephone interview. “We’ve had to spend far more time fighting for him to do what he promised.”
Obama asked for patience, saying “slowly but surely we find the way forward,” and asked the audience to commit to helping him win re-election next year.
Actor Neil Patrick Harris of CBS television’s “How I Met Your Mother” helped introduce the president where tickets started at $1,250. He listed some of the issues where Obama has supported gay rights issues since taking office.
In February, the administration said it will no longer oppose court challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act, a 15- year-old law that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages for purposes of taxes, social security and other programs.
Action in States
Since the law was enacted, five states and the District of Columbia have approved gay marriage, while others allow civil unions. New York would be the largest state to legalize same-sex marriage.
“Part of the reason DOMA doesn’t make sense is that traditionally marriage has been decided by the states,” Obama said tonight.
In December, Obama signed into law legislation lifting the ban on gays serving openly in the military. As a candidate, Obama campaign on a promise to repeal the policy, known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” saying it as a civil rights issue.
The Obama campaign was seeking to raise at least $3 million while the president was in New York, the third time in four months that Obama went to the city to collect donations.
Later tonight, Obama was going to a $35,800-per-plate dinner with Wall Street bankers followed by a performance of the musical “Sister Act,” where he will be joined by the producer, actress Whoopi Goldberg. The last event targets young Democratic donors, with tickets starting at $100 per person.
The president has appeared at 27 fundraisers since January, helping the Democratic National Committee outpace its Republican counterpart. Through May 31, the DNC has taken in $45.5 million, compared with $30.5 million collected by the Republican National Committee, according to the Federal Election Commission.
To contact the reporter on this story: Kate Andersen Brower in New York at kandersen7@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Mark Silva at msilva34@bloomberg.net.
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