Washington, D.C.— North Carolina yesterday became the 30th state to prohibit gay marriage by passing a constitutional amendment defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman. This was a blow to efforts to advance equality for same-sex unions, but today President Barack Obama in an interview with ABC News’s Robin Roberts stated his support for marriage rights for gay couples.
Communities of color have shown an increasing trajectory of support for same-sex unions. A recent study (April 2012) revealed that Latinos in America are no more or less opposed to the advancement of LGBT rights than is the general U.S. population. Accordingly, 54 percent of Latinos support same-sex marriage (which is 1 percent higher than the general population, according to a recent Gallup poll). And 39 percent of African Americans support it today putting opposition from communities of color at an all-time low.
In response, Center for American Progress President Neera Tanden said, “We applaud the president’s decision as it is another large step toward realizing this country’s promise of equality. Indeed, President Obama today helped bend the arc of history toward justice. And his stance will be remembered as such.”
Winnie Stachelberg, CAP’s Executive Vice President for External Affairs added, “President Obama made history today when he came out in full support of marriage rights for gay couples. Many Americans have thought about this issue and, like the president, have reconsidered their feelings about it. His journey is our journey.”
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