Does Pres. Obama Still Think Marriage Is A States’ Rights Issue?

As the U.S. edges toward full 50-state marriage equality, the leader of the free world doesn’t “at this point” think it should be the law?

Many across the nation angrily scoffed this week when likely GOP presidential candidate Jeb Bush, W’s brother, announced his belief that he in no way supports same-sex marriage, but that it is an issue that should be decided by the states. He added that the voters’ decisions should be “respected.”

Some no doubt will say that Bush’s position is a tiny bit similar to Hillary Clinton‘s. This past summer, the former Secretary of State and likely 2016 Democratic presidential candidate, told NPR that she, too, thinks same-sex marriage should be left to the states.

“For me, marriage has always been a matter left to the states… I fully endorse the efforts by activists to work state-by-state. In fact, that is what is working.”

Perhaps true, but that doesn’t mean it should be a state issue. In fact, it should not.

So what about President Barack Obama?

The President has proven to be, without question, one of the LGBT community’s most ardent advocates and supporters. His actions, comments, and policies have expanded the civil rights and equality of millions of LGBT people across the nation, and even, to a degree, around the world. 

He repealed “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” He supports same-sex marriage. He tried to get Congress to pass ENDA, and when it became clear that was impossible, he signed executive orders to protect LGBT people in the workplace of federal contractors.

President Obama has also appointed openly gay judges to the federal bench, and his attorney general, Eric Holder, recently stated that the federal government would now see transgender people as protected under the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Obama also signed into law the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Act, he’s hosted annual LGBT pride celebrations in the White House, and he lifted the ban against people with HIV from entering the country.

The President ordered any hospital that accepts federal funds to treat all spouses or partners of LGBT people as if they were legally married, ensured the Family and Medical Leave Act included LGBT employees, and even before he was elected declared his belief that DOMA is unconstitutional. After he was elected, and before the Supreme Court had an opportunity to strike it down, the President announced he and the Attorney General would no longer defend it in court.

The list of his accomplishments and support is extremely long, so it may come as a huge surprise to many that today we learn President Obama, also, does not believe there should be a federal law protecting the right of all same-sex couples to marry.

MSNBC political reporter Alex Seitz-Wald, via Twitter this afternoon wrote that President Barack Obama does not yet support a nationwide law allowing, or protecting the right of same-sex couples to marry.

The tweet refers to Josh Earnest, Obama’s Press Secretary, and NBC reporter Peter Alexander.

Why is this disturbing? For starters, it allows Republicans to claim, once again – albeit falsely – they have the same, or similar, position on marriage as the President.

It’s antiquated, now that 36 states in fact have extended the right of marriage to same-sex couples.

And it’s embarrassing, one might think, given his unprecedented support to the LGBT community.

Is this the constitutional professor in him? Is it his repeatedly demonstrated belief that people ultimately will do the right thing if given the chance?

Or is this an error in judgment, or just evidence he’s very busy and hasn’t given this sufficient thought, considering he’s a bit busy leading the free world?

Whatever the reason, it is time for a nationwide law protecting the rights of same-sex couples to marry, don’t you think?

 

Photo: Chicago Pride 2012. Image via Flickr