ABC News
Today President Barack Obama announced his personal support of gay marriage, telling ABC News: “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.” (See an extended clip here)
This news has elicited a wide range of reactions across the campus. We asked Tufts students and faculty to share their thoughts with The Daily:
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“Today was important because President Obama is the first American president to openly support gay marriage. Criticisms that his statement is intended to distract the public from the issue of economic recovery ignores the continued importance of equal rights for the LGBTQ community.”
– Caroline Cullinane, ‘13
“I think its both a reflection of how intolerant this country can be – the fact that its still such a big deal for a politician to endorse gay marriage - and a more accepting mindset that we can all more towards. All in all, I’m happy and excited about it.”
– Mariana Liebman-Pelzaez, ‘14
“I walked in the door and was like ‘Suck it North Carolina!’ It’s going to help him with the right people, and hurt him with the wrong people.”
– Brian Sheehan, ‘12
“I was actually surprised that no president had ever done that but yay for Obama! Kudos.”
– Ayal Pierce, ‘15
“President Obama’s decision couldn’t have come at a more pertinent time…. When North Carolina passed the act this morning, I immediately reflected upon the assumptions based off the Maya-predictions focused on 2012 being the year the world world end. I immediately thought that by the world ending, for the US it meant heightening its homophobia, racism, sexism, classism and other ‘isms’, against the “other”. As Obama articulated his support for gay marriage, I once again thought back to the Mayan prediction. Maybe by the world ending, they meant the world ‘As we knew it’ changing, modifying itself, and progressing. Perhaps, they were thinking radically, projecting that an old world was closing so that equality, justice, and progress could beam glimmers of light into a new or different one.”
– Jameelah Morris, ‘13
“I think it’s cool that he came out as an individual supporter. I mean, he’s never been against it openly, so supporting it openly is cool.”
–Daniel Quinn, ‘14
“I didn’t actually hear about it, but I’m not surprised. Obama supports a lot of perspectives and diversity in cultures, which makes him the ideal candidate.”
– Manvi Goyal, ‘15
“I feel like it’s great to say it, but I’m not confident what it will mean. I mean, how many people in power have said they support equality for all? When more states legalize it I’ll be more confident in the significance of the statement.”
– Gabe Beckerman, ‘14
“It makes sense looking at what he’s doing. Everyone’s saying that Joe Biden’s announcement Sunday forced it, and I don’t think that’s true. It really opened the door for Obama so this didn’t appear like it came out of nowhere. And I think it’s not only right thing to do but a brilliant thing to do. The energy and drive of our age that had dissipated is now back in full force.”
– Anya Gelernt, ‘13
“I just saw a link on facebook, I think its great, especially after North Carolina, to show support.”
Chandni Sanariya, ‘12
“It was actually just talking with my friends the other day, whether he’d come forward or not ever. It’s awesome that he did, we’ll just have to see if he acts on it.”
– Jenna Wells, ‘14
“It’s inevitable! I’m glad to see we’re making progress on a national scale.”
– Elizabeth Sharpe-Levine, ‘12
“I’m not surprised. I’ve always assumed he felt that way. I glad he got to say that in an interview and referred to members of his advisers who have gay marriages – they’re no less capable of raising children.”
– Chioma Woko, ‘15
“I would say that I endorse a policy that supports gay marriage.”
– Jordan Brandes, ‘14
“For the leader of our nation to make such a positive statement for the LGBT community is a huge step forward in terms of gaining equality for all. Personally, as a gay man who has been married to my husband for seven years, it feels amazing to learn the President values our family equally.”
– Tom Bourdon, director of the Tufts LGBT Center
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Have a different opinion? Comment below!
compiled by Jodi Bosin, Brionna Jimerson, and Justin McCallum.
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
I by no means think the president was lying when he released his statement, but I do have a suspicion that Joe Biden’s open support of gay marriage heavily pressured Obama to come out with his own statement, and I don’t know how strongly he actually feels about the issue. I appreciate his support of the LGBTQ community, but I think his opinion would have a lot more credibility if he had released it earlier, i.e. before the North Carolina vote and before Biden’s statement. That said, it took real courage for Obama to take a definite stance on the issue during an election year considering he may lose some voter support as a result.