UPDATE: Marylanders for Marriage Equality Campaign Director Josh Levin released the following statement in response to the President’s remarks:
Maryland Juice is pleased to announce that President Barack Obama has endorsed marriage equality in the United States of America. Unlike other party leaders, he apparently knows how to manage the Democratic brand, take appropriate risks and ultimately to do the right thing. Hat tip to the MoCo Young Democrats who had a press release ready to go. They are ready to fire up the youth vote to pass marriage equality in Maryland this November. See their statement below, and check out the video interview of Obama's breaking announcement at ABC News (transcript below):
PRESS RELEASE Montgomery County Young Democrats Proud to Stand with President Obama as He
Voices Full Support for Marriage Equality
“The Montgomery County Young Democrats are so proud to stand by President Obama as he announces his full support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. The election results in North Carolina yesterday showed that our country has a long way to go to move beyond our shameful history of discrimination and injustice. But we pledge to do everything we can to stand with our President, with LGBT families and allies in order to defend marriage equality for Marylanders at the polls this year,” said Montgomery County Young Democrats President Dave Kunes.
The organization partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland and the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition this past year to build support and pass marriage equality legislation in the 2012 legislative session. Members phonebanked at the offices of Progressive Maryland & Delegate Heather Mizeur in the six months leading up to the bill’s passage.
“I'm pleased to hear that President Obama has shown his full support for marriage equality. It shows that he understands that full equality for all means supporting marriage equality.Marriage equality is the only way to offer legal protections to loving couples and families regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. As a gay Marylander, I sincerely hope that our hard-fought battle for marriage equality in this state spreads nationwide so that ALL Americans are able to marry the person they love,” said former MCYD board member Aris Kyriakopoulos.
With the legislation now facing a November referendum, the Young Democrats will continue to ramp up efforts to protect marriage equality this summer with more phonebanking, canvassing and other outreach efforts. Supporters who wish to get involved may signup at www.mcyd.org/defend-equality.
“We’re delighted -- as millions of Americans undoubtedly are -- with the news that our President supports civil marriage rights for all committed couples. He’s made history today, and he’s given same-sex couples and their children hope that they deserve and will someday be granted full protection under the law and the recognition that comes through marriage.
“His announcement is especially important to our coalition and to the thousands of couples and families in Maryland who are working to ensure the Civil Marriage Protection Act is upheld this November.
“The President’s words will no doubt inspire thousands more conversations around kitchen tables and in communities across our state. It’s a dialogue that is invaluable as Marylanders consider the issue of marriage equality. We are confident that those Marylanders who, like our President, have wrestled with the issue will come to understand as President Obama has, that marriage equality is rooted in basic fairness and strengthening all families.
“We are confident that the momentum in Maryland and our country will continue to build toward equality and we thank the President for so boldly leading us in that direction.”
Maryland Juice is pleased to announce that President Barack Obama has endorsed marriage equality in the United States of America. Unlike other party leaders, he apparently knows how to manage the Democratic brand, take appropriate risks and ultimately to do the right thing. Hat tip to the MoCo Young Democrats who had a press release ready to go. They are ready to fire up the youth vote to pass marriage equality in Maryland this November. See their statement below, and check out the video interview of Obama's breaking announcement at ABC News (transcript below):
President Obama: "I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.
Voices Full Support for Marriage Equality
“The Montgomery County Young Democrats are so proud to stand by President Obama as he announces his full support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian Americans. The election results in North Carolina yesterday showed that our country has a long way to go to move beyond our shameful history of discrimination and injustice. But we pledge to do everything we can to stand with our President, with LGBT families and allies in order to defend marriage equality for Marylanders at the polls this year,” said Montgomery County Young Democrats President Dave Kunes.
The organization partnered with the Human Rights Campaign, Equality Maryland and the Marylanders for Marriage Equality coalition this past year to build support and pass marriage equality legislation in the 2012 legislative session. Members phonebanked at the offices of Progressive Maryland & Delegate Heather Mizeur in the six months leading up to the bill’s passage.
“I'm pleased to hear that President Obama has shown his full support for marriage equality. It shows that he understands that full equality for all means supporting marriage equality.Marriage equality is the only way to offer legal protections to loving couples and families regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. As a gay Marylander, I sincerely hope that our hard-fought battle for marriage equality in this state spreads nationwide so that ALL Americans are able to marry the person they love,” said former MCYD board member Aris Kyriakopoulos.
With the legislation now facing a November referendum, the Young Democrats will continue to ramp up efforts to protect marriage equality this summer with more phonebanking, canvassing and other outreach efforts. Supporters who wish to get involved may signup at www.mcyd.org/defend-equality.
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