President Obama has praised homosexual “spouses” in his speech at the urge of the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender community, as he spoke at an event marking their “Pride Month” at the White House on Wednesday.
Despite his lack of public support for same-sex marriage, President Obama has said he believes in the fight for equality among all.
“We’ve got some incredible young people who are just doing great work all across the country, folks who are standing up against discrimination, and for the rights of parents and children and partners and students,” said Obama who added “and spouses” to that remark after the audience shouted it out during his speech.
President Obama has said he feels his administration is the most pro-homosexual in the country’s history.
“Let me start out by saying that this administration, under my direction has consistently said we cannot discriminate as a country against people on the basis of sexual orientation, and we have done more in the two-and-a-half years I have been in here than the previous 43 presidents to uphold that principal,” said Obama at a news conference earlier on Wednesday.
“Whether it’s ending ‘don’t ask don’t tell’, making sure that gay and lesbian partners can visit each other in hospitals, making sure that federal benefits can be provided to same sex couples,” he added.
Although President Obama has made it clear he is an advocate for rights for homosexuals, he is still only in support of civil unions for same-sex couples. He has until now refused to endorse same-sex marriage but claims his views on the issue are “evolving.”
President Obama also combated the “Defense of Marriage Act” which does not allow other states to recognize same-sex couples wed in states where the policy is legal, and defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
“I’ve long supported efforts to pass a repeal through congress. And until we reach that day my administration is no longer defending DOMA in the courts,” said Obama.
“The law is discriminatory. It violates the constitution. It’s time for us to bring it to an end.”
