Obama calls on Hawaii lawmakers to approve gay marriage
Sat. November 2, 2013 8:11 AM by OnTopMag.com
Washington, D.C. -
President Barack Obama is calling on lawmakers in Hawaii to approve a gay marriage bill.
The White House released a statement in support of Hawaii becoming the 15th state to allow gay couples to marry. The president was born in Honolulu, the state's capital.
"While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," Shin Inouye, a White House spokesman, said in an email to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate. "As he has said, his personal view is that it's wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so. The president would welcome a decision by the state Legislature to treat all Hawaiian couples equally."
The measure cleared the Senate on Wednesday with overwhelming support. However, the bill faces greater opposition in the House, where votes are tight. A House hearing on the marriage bill attracted thousands.
(Related: Thousands testify at Hawaii House hearing on gay marriage.)
The White House released a statement in support of Hawaii becoming the 15th state to allow gay couples to marry. The president was born in Honolulu, the state's capital.
"While the president does not weigh in on every measure being considered by state legislatures, he believes in treating everyone fairly and equally, with dignity and respect," Shin Inouye, a White House spokesman, said in an email to the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the nation's largest LGBT rights advocate. "As he has said, his personal view is that it's wrong to prevent couples who are in loving, committed relationships, and want to marry, from doing so. The president would welcome a decision by the state Legislature to treat all Hawaiian couples equally."
The measure cleared the Senate on Wednesday with overwhelming support. However, the bill faces greater opposition in the House, where votes are tight. A House hearing on the marriage bill attracted thousands.
(Related: Thousands testify at Hawaii House hearing on gay marriage.)
Article provided in partnership with On Top Magazine