The world is buzzing over President Obama’s recent announcement that he supports same-sex marriage. Some groups are cheering. Others are jeering. One thing is certain, though: nothing is certain.
Right-wing leaders have had no problem openly declaring their opposition to gay marriage, but until recently, most left-wing politicians held the middle ground. Obama’s announcement is certainly revolutionary, but there’s one major problem with it.
What is he going to do about it?
A May 14 Gallup poll shows that 54 percent of Americans find gay or lesbian relations acceptable. While slight, this is still a majority of citizens who would support same-sex marriages.
Gallup’s previous polls on the subject show that this majority has been held since 2010, so why is it now that Obama has chosen to voice his support? And what does he plan to do about it?
President George W. Bush was an outspoken opponent to same-sex marriage and actively sought to ban it in the U.S.
On the horizon of a presidential election, Obama has declared his support of same-sex marriage, but has yet to promise any action to back up his claim.
Considering laws against same-sex marriage are an issue of civil rights, it seems strange that Obama would make such a claim and not offer any campaign promises about legalizing them.
A president publicly declaring support of this issue is a huge step forward for gay rights groups, and certainly a risky move for Obama to take when the country is so split on the topic, but it’s easy enough to say one believes in something.
What would be truly impressive is if he declared a plan to legalize same-sex marriages in the U.S., much the same way that he took initiative to remove troops from Iraq.
Any support is a good thing, but if Obama truly wants to be a revolutionary leader, he must take action and prove that he believes his citizens should be allowed to marry regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
This announcement leaves us with nothing but uncertainty. Will anything change? Does this declaration really mean anything?
It means lots of press, judging from the 200 some results from an latimes.com search of “Obama gay marriage.” And press is important for Obama with the November election looming over him.
But shouldn’t an announcement like this carry some substance? The real victory will come when Obama promises to legalize marriage for all adults, regardless of gender.
