Image Text:

BACKING: Barack Obama

IN AN interview with Good Morning America today (May 10) U.S president Barack Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage.

This is the first time that an American president has publicly backed gay marriage.

Obama told Good Morning America: “I’ve always been adamant that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally.

‘I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and neighbours 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 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.”