President Barack ObamaLOCAL REACTION”After playing politics for years with the issue of same-sex marriage, President Obama has finally made his true position known. The majority of Tennesseans do not support the president on this issue and I’m curious if Tennessee Democrats will stand by their president on this one.”- Tennessee Republican Party Chairman Chris Devaney”I’m pretty ecstatic. It’s a big step. I think it’s an important thing and good news coming on the tail-end of bad news [North Carolina’s Constitutional amendment on same-sex marriage].”- Seth Morris, junior at the University of the South”Anyone who’s had any anatomy knows that’s not the way it’s supposed to be. The Bible says it’s Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve.”- Helen Bird of Chattanooga”It’s about time. [Obama] has been watching and waiting for the right time.”- Dennis Bishop of Chattanooga”I’m kind of neutral, but I think there’s good reasons for [same-sex marriage] to be OK. I’ve read a lot about it and it would help those in same-sex relationships – benefits and insurance and things like that.”- Becky Goins of Harrison”In the Bible, God created a man and woman. If some kids get a man and man or a woman and woman as parents, I believe it could mess them up.”- John Chapman II of Eastdale
JACK CHANG, Associated Press
MEXICO CITY – President Barack Obama’s announcement Wednesday that he supports gay marriage boosted the hopes of gay rights groups around the world that other leaders will follow his example, though opponents denounced his switch as a shameless appeal for votes.
Several countries, including Canada, Spain and Argentina, allow same-sex marriage, but far more countries ban it and dozens even prohibit consensual same-sex relations. Gay-rights groups hope Obama’s views will inspire more change.
“This is incredibly important, it’s excellent news. The United States is a global leader on everything, and that includes gay rights,” said Julio Moreira, president of the Rio de Janeiro-based Arco-Iris gay rights group. “This will force other nations like Brazil to move forward with more progressive policies.”