Obama Now Supports Same-Sex Marriage, Again

Yesterday President Obama finally came out in favor of same-sex marriage. But he had supported it before.

Andrew Kaczynski at Buzzfeed has a more in depth timeline with videos posted as well.
Obama Gay Marriage Timeline

Obama in 1996: "I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would fight efforts to prohibit such marriages."

Obama in 2004: "My religious faith dictates marriage is between a man and a woman, gay marriage is not a civil right."

Obama in 2008: "I believe marriage is the union between a man and a woman. As a Christian it's also a sacred union."

In 1996 he was running for a very liberal State Senate seat in Illinois. No Republican was going to be elected, his concern was other Democrats in the Primary: So he supported it.

In 2004 he was going statewide, so it was a riskier position to have: So he opposed it.

In 2008 he was running for President, and the majority of Americans were against same-sex marriage at the time: So he was still against it.

Now in 2012 polls have show a narrow plurality to a narrow majority supporting it, and he knows he won't carry states that oppose it that he carried last time, ones like Indiana and North Carolina: So he supports it.

The President has said that he supports states being able to make the decision on same-sex marriage (which happens to be my position, both in support of SSM and states having the right to legalize it or ban it). But is this his real position? I don't doubt he supports same-sex marriage, but it is possible he does not really favor states' rights in this area.

California Supreme Court Upholds Prop 8

In a 6-1 decision the California Supreme Court upheld Proposition 8 which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. At the same time they ruled that the 18,000 marriages of same-sex couples will not be voided.

This was the right call. The people passed a constitutional amendment to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, overturning it would be declaring a part of the state constitution unconstitutional. It would have been a dangerous court precedent and a new low for judicial activists. Fortunately they made the right decision.

Proponents of same-sex marriage have already started collecting signatures for their own ballot proposition to repeal prop 8. I wish them luck. Prop 8 only passed with 52% of the vote, and this was with the backlash of judicial activism, I think it stands a decent chance of passing.

Maine and New Hampshire Legalize Same-Sex Marriage

Following Vermont, both Maine and New Hampshire have legalized same-sex marriage though legislation rather than judicial activism. There hasn't been much for me to be happy about in the world of politics lately with the rise of the far-left and the media shilling for them at every opportunity, but this is one bright light.
The representatives of the people have spoken and changed the law to allow same-sex marriage. I hope pro-same-sex marriage activists look at these examples and stop resorting to judicial activism. They can win without it. In fact, they will win faster without it.
Almost every time same-sex marriage has been mandated by the courts a backlash has ensued. I hope, and think, this will not be the case with states that have passed it legislatively.

Vermont Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage The Right Way

Vermont has become the first state to legalize same-sex marriage legislatively. The Vermont House and Senate overrode Governor Jim Douglas' veto. This is a milestone in the gay marriage movement, one I hope the proponents of same-sex marriage recognize and take to heart.

Instead of going to the courts to thwart the will of the people, the representatives of the people passed a law legalizing same-sex marriage. It cannot be said that the courts participated in judicial activism as they have in the past. If the law stands the test of time, meaning that it isn't repealed after an election or two, the beginning of a whole new chapter in the SSM movement.
Thank You Vermont. You can be assured that it will be a long time before you hear me say those words again.

The California SC was wrong, but still...

The California Supreme Court ruled on May 15 of this year that same sex couples could not be barred from marriage, this has provoked evangelical groups to put a ballot proposition for a state constitutional ban on same sex marriage up for a vote in the November election.

I fundamentally disagree with the supreme court's decision, yet I also support same sex marriage, on top of that, the arrogant and insulting attitude among some of those who support the supreme court decision and oppose the ballot proposition almost makes me want to vote for it out of spite.

Almost is the key word here, as much as I deplore the SC decision, I can't in good conscience vote for any amendment that will once again ban same sex marriage, let this be the election I felt this issue needed. I will vote no and for gay marriage. If the amendment passes I hope the proponents of same sex marriage will in a few years time try to do this the democratic way and put their own ballot proposition up for vote. Once the people votes for same sex marriage it will be much harder to stop than is would if the courts step in and override the public will.