May 10, 2012

President Barack Obama on May 9 endorsed same-sex marriage, taking a definitive position on one of the country’s most politically charged social issues. “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,” the president told ABC News. Political observers noted that the president’s stand on this highly divisive issue will likely antagonize some swing voters and puts him at odds with the 38 states that have statutes or constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. Six states and the District of Columbia currently issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Vice President Joe Biden came out in favor of same-sex marriage on a Sunday morning political affairs show on May 6.

On May 8, voters in North Carolina passed an amendment to that state’s constitution that bans same-sex marriages, domestic partnerships, and civil unions. Passing by a margin of more than 20 percentage points, the amendment was on the ballot with party primary races. North Carolina already had a law banning same-sex marriage on the books. However, Republican lawmakers pushed for the amendment for fear that the state’s Supreme Court might strike down the law, as has happened in other states.

Additional World Book articles:

• Gay rights movement
• Courts 1999 (a Back in Time article)
• Courts 2004 (a Back in Time article)
• Courts 2006 (a Back in Time article)
• Courts 2008 (a Back in Time article)
• Courts 2010 (a Back in Time article)
• Courts 2011 (a Back in Time article)