Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who previously had been on the record opposing same-sex marriage, today joined with President Barack Obama in announcing support for the right of same-sex couples to marry. Reid, a Mormon, said he personally believes marriage should be between a man and a woman, but “in a civil society, I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want.”
WATCH:Â President Obama Says He Now Supports Same-Sex Marriage (Video)
“My personal belief is that marriage is between a man and a woman. But in a civil society, I believe that people should be able to marry whomever they want, and it’s no business of mine if two men or two women want to get married. The idea that allowing two loving, committed people to marry would have any impact on my life, or on my family’s life, always struck me as absurd,” Reid said via a statement tonight:
“In talking with my children and grandchildren, it has become clear to me they take marriage equality as a given. I have no doubt that their view will carry the future.
“I handled a fair amount of domestic relations work when I was a practicing lawyer, and it was all governed by state law. I believe that is the proper place for this issue to be decided as well.â€
Senator Reid voted for DOMA, the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, but also cautioned his Church that their heavy involvement in California’s Prop 8 was divisive.
As recently as noon today, Reid was still on the record opposing same-sex marriage. In fact, New York Magazine today published an article at 12:08 PM stating:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid doesn’t support gay marriage either — his spokesman said in 2009 that Reid “agrees with his church that marriage is between a man and a woman.”
Senator Harry Reid today joins U.S. Senator for Rhode Island Jack Reed, who also today announced support for same-sex marriage after the President made his historic announcement.