{"id":2042,"date":"2012-06-20T11:22:00","date_gmt":"2012-06-20T11:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/06\/president-obama-and-marriage-equality-a-reader.html"},"modified":"2012-06-20T11:22:00","modified_gmt":"2012-06-20T11:22:00","slug":"president-obama-and-marriage-equality-a-reader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/06\/president-obama-and-marriage-equality-a-reader.html","title":{"rendered":"President Obama and Marriage Equality: A Reader"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><meta http-equiv=\"content-type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\"><\/head><body><div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><i>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\u2019t Ask Don\u2019t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I\u2019ve 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.<\/i>-President Barack Obama, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=kQGMTPab9GQ\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Interview with ABC News Robin Roberts<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">On May 9, 2012, President Barack Obama became the first president in American history to personally affirm that same sex couples should be allowed to get married. Many celebrated the president\u2019s evolution as a continuation of the Civil Rights movement, while others lamented his decision, claiming that it went against God and God\u2019s word. We here at Rhetoric Race and Religion thought we would collect editorial that speak to this historic moment. If you have one that we missed, we invite you to share it with us on our\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pages\/Rhetoric-Race-and-Religion\/194196523989264\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Facebook<\/a>\u00a0page or on Twitter\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/#%21\/Rhetoricracerel\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">@rhetoricracerel\u00a0<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">1.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/05\/evolution-of-president-coming-clean-and.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">The \u201cEvolution\u201d of the President: Coming Clean and Out of the Closet<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">2.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/05\/and-they-are-still-here-seeing-and.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">And They Are Still Here: Seeing and Affirming the Humanity of Others<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">3.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.religiondispatches.org\/dispatches\/jaymichaelson\/5970\/the_obama_same-sex_marriage_statement%3A_a_religious_analysis_\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Obama Same-Sex Marriage Statement: A Religious Analysis<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">4.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/uptownmagazine.com\/2012\/05\/why-religious-african-americans-should-support-president-obama-on-same-sex-marriage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Why Religious African Americans Should Support President Obama On Same Sex Marriage<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">5.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.bet.com\/news\/politics\/2012\/05\/10\/commentary-obama-finally-jumps-the-broom-on-gay-marriage.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama Finally Jumps the Broom on Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">6.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.usatoday.com\/news\/religion\/story\/2012-05-10\/obama-gay-marriage-golden-rule\/54886058\/1\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama and gay marriage: The Golden Rule rules<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">7.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/in-obamas-stance-on-gay-marriage-a-return-to-hope\/2012\/05\/10\/gIQAeGFbGU_story.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">In Obama\u2019s stance on gay marriage, a return to hope<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 0px;margin-left: 0px;margin-right: 0px;margin-top: 0px\"><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">8. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.somethingwithin.com\/blog\/?p=352\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Hush Now, Don\u2019t Explain: The POTUS Does Not Owe the Black Church an Apology<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">9. <a href=\"http:\/\/http\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/opinions\/obamas-case-for-gay-marriage-shows-that-invoking-faith-isnt-just-for-conservatives-anymore\/2012\/05\/11\/gIQAg6QoIU_story.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama\u2019s case for gay marriage shows that invoking faith isn\u2019t just for conservatives anymore<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">10. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tnr.com\/article\/politics\/103263\/gay-marriage-obama-equalty-same-sex-rights\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Thank You, President Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">11. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/leslie-watson-malachi\/african-americans-marriage-obama_b_1505944.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">On Marriage, African Americans Aren\u2019t a Monolithic Voting Bloc<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">12. <a href=\"http:\/\/faithinmemphis.com\/2012\/05\/09\/faith-in-memphis-panel-responds-to-obamas-support-for-same-sex-marriage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Faith in Memphis panel responds to Obama\u2019s support for same-sex marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">13.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.urbanfaith.com\/2012\/05\/obama-marriage-evolution-over.html\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Obama Marriage Evolution Over<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">14. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/On%20gay%20marriage,%20Obama%20plays%20politics%20%E2%80%94%20badly\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">On gay marriage, Obama plays politics \u2014 badly<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">15. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/\/content\/newsweek\/2012\/05\/13\/andrew-sullivan-on-barack-obama-s-gay-marriage-evolution.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Barack Obama: The First Gay President<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">16. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/2012\/05\/14\/african-american-latino-clergy-obama-gay-marriage_n_1509852.html?ref=christianity\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">African American And Latino Clergy On Obama\u2019s Gay Marriage Support<\/a> <\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">17. <a href=\"http:\/\/loop21.com\/politics\/tavis-smiley-cornel-west-obama-gay-marriage-support-podcast\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama Gay Marriage Support Politically Calculated<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">18. <a href=\"http:\/\/globalgrind.com\/news\/courage-president-barack-obama-dr-benjamin-chavis-jr-blog\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Courage Of President Barack H. Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">19.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.christiancentury.org\/article\/2012-05\/black-baptist-leader-rebukes-obama\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Black Baptist leader rebukes Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">20. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mediaite.com\/tv\/michael-eric-dyson-obamas-gay-marriage-support-forced-us-to-all-come-out-of-closets\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Michael Eric Dyson: Obama\u2019s Gay Marriage Support Forced Us To \u2018All Come Out Of Closets\u2019<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">21. <a href=\"http:\/\/reason.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/14\/obamas-cynicism-on-gay-marriage\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama\u2019s \u2018Cynicism\u2019 on Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">22. <a href=\"http:\/\/politic365.com\/2012\/05\/15\/is-obama-making-black-men-soft\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Is Obama Making Black Men Soft?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">23. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.thedailybeast.com\/articles\/2012\/05\/15\/moss-to-african-american-clergy-don-t-abandon-obama-over-same-sex-marriage.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Moss to African-American Clergy: Don\u2019t Abandon Obama Over Same-Sex Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">24.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.religiondispatches.org\/archive\/sexandgender\/5978\/obama%E2%80%99s_gay_marriage_support_shocks_black_church\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Obama\u2019s Gay Marriage Support Shocks Black Church<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">25. <a href=\"http:\/\/baptistpress.com\/BPFirstPerson.asp?ID=37831\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama, gay marriage &amp; the black church vote<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">26. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.mediaite.com\/tv\/black-pastor-tells-cnn-his-church-wont-support-obama-plan-to-stay-home\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Black Pastor Tells CNN His Church Won\u2019t Support Obama, \u2018Plan To Stay Home\u2019<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">27. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/clarence-b-jones\/gay-marriage-civil-rights_b_1514487.html?ref=politics\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Same Sex Marriage: If Not Now, When? If Not America\u2019s First African American President, Who? <\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">28. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.urbanfaith.com\/2012\/05\/media-courts-black-clergy-on-gay-marriage.html\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Media Courts Black Clergy on Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">29. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cbn.com\/cbnnews\/us\/2012\/May\/Pastors-Disappointed-by-Obamas-Shift-on-Marriage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Pastors Disappointed by Obama\u2019s Shift on Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">30. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.religiondispatches.org\/dispatches\/sarahposner\/5979\/the_failure_of_obama%27s_faith_strategy_revealed\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Failure of Obama\u2019s Faith Strategy Revealed <\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">31. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.charlotteobserver.com\/2012\/05\/15\/3243198\/obamas-case-for-gay-marriage-shows.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama\u2019s Case for Gay Marriage Shows That Invoking Faith Isn\u2019t Just for Conservatives Anymore<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">32. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/blogs\/guest-voices\/post\/on-gay-marriage-is-obama-imposing-his-religion\/2012\/05\/15\/gIQAuuPPSU_blog.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">On gay marriage, is Obama \u2018imposing his religion\u2019?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">33. <a href=\"http:\/\/kineticslive.com\/2012\/05\/obama-jamal-bryant-and-selective-outrage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama, Jamal Bryant and the Politics of Selective Outrage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">34. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.tennessean.com\/article\/20120516\/COLUMNIST0150\/305160063\/Mona-Charen-Righting-rhetoric-surrounding-institution-of-marriage\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Righting rhetoric surrounding institution of marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">35.<a href=\"http:\/\/http\/\/blackagendareport.com\/content\/obamas-no-risk-drive-gay-marriage\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Obama\u2019s No-Risk Drive-By On Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">36. <a href=\"http:\/\/http\/\/www.dailynews.com\/opinions\/ci_20639887\/oped-gay-marriage-and-president-obama\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Gay marriage and President Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">37. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/dr-boyce-watkins\/obama-gay-marriage_b_1510239.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama, the Black Church and Gay Marriage: Things the President Might Want to Know<br><\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">38.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.outofur.com\/archives\/2012\/05\/joel_hunter_res.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Joel Hunter Responds to Obama\u2019s Gay Marriage Endorsement<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">39. <a href=\"http:\/\/frontpagemag.com\/2012\/05\/17\/will-gay-marriage-threaten-black-support-for-obama\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Will Gay Marriage Threaten Black Support for Obama?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">40. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/05\/i-heard-you-mr-president-and-hear-is.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\">I heard you Mr. President, and \u201cHear\u201d is What I have to SAY!!!<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br>\n41. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.spokesman.com\/stories\/2012\/may\/19\/charles-krauthammer-obama-boxed-in-by-gay-marriage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Charles Krauthammer: Obama boxed in by gay marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">42. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bet.com\/news\/national\/2012\/05\/18\/commentary-how-obama-changed-gay-marriage-beliefs-in-north-carolina.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">How Obama Changed Gay-Marriage Beliefs in North Carolina<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">43. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/monique-ruffin\/the-black-churchs-conundr_b_1521552.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Black Church\u2019s Conundrum: What Would Jesus Do?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">44. <a href=\"http:\/\/wreg.com\/2012\/05\/17\/some-black-pastors-in-memphis-oppose-president-obamas-position-on-same-sex-marriage\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Black Pastors Say Gay Marriage Hijacks Civil Rights Movement<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">45. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.federalwaymirror.com\/opinion\/151964595.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Marriage equality, Christianity and Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">46.<a href=\"http:\/\/www.ukprogressive.co.uk\/black-ministers-follow-obama\/article18699.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"> Black Ministers Follow Obama<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">47. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.conversantlife.com\/social-justice\/the-black-church-obama-gay-marriage\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">The Black Church, Obama, &amp; Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">48. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/dr-boyce-watkins\/obama-gay-marriage_b_1510239.html?ref=tw\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama, the Black Church and Gay Marriage: Things the President Might Want to Know\u00a0<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">49.<a href=\"http:\/\/faithinmemphis.com\/2012\/05\/19\/on-obama-homosexuality-the-apostles-and-the-gentiles\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">On Obama, homosexuality, the Apostles and the Gentiles<br><\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">50. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.truthdig.com\/report\/item\/black_community_poised_to_follow_obamas_leadership_on_gay_rights_20120523\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Black Community Poised to Follow Obama\u2019s Leadership on Gay Rights<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">51. <a href=\"http:\/\/minnesota.publicradio.org\/features\/npr.php?id=153282066\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Blacks, Gays And The Church: A Complex Relationship<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">52. <a href=\"http:\/\/thenewcivilrightsmovement.com\/why-the-new-obama-gay-marriage-support-is-a-wash-meme-is-wrong\/news\/2012\/05\/22\/39983\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Why The New \u2018Obama Gay Marriage Support Is A Wash\u2019 Meme Is Wrong<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">53. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/michelangelo-signorile\/obama-and-gay-marriage-a_b_1539174.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama and Gay Marriage: A Lesson for All Progressives and the Obama Campaign<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">54. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.chicagotribune.com\/news\/columnists\/ct-oped-0527-page-20120527,0,209193.column\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama\u2019s effect on gay \u2018rites\u2019<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">55. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/blogs\/ezra-klein\/post\/did-obama-change-the-nations-mind-on-gay-marriage\/2012\/05\/25\/gJQAmWrTqU_blog.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Did Obama change the nation\u2019s mind on gay marriage?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">56. <a href=\"http:\/\/thenewcivilrightsmovement.com\/bishop-obama-gay-marriage-views-create-adulterous-relationship-with-blacks\/politics\/2012\/05\/26\/40126\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Bishop: Obama Gay Marriage Views Create \u2018Adulterous Relationship\u2019 With Blacks<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">57. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theroot.com\/buzz\/farrakhan-criticizes-obama-gay-marriage\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Farrakhan Criticizes Obama on Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">58. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.salon.com\/2012\/05\/24\/what_obama_has_done_for_gay_marriage\/singleton\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">What Obama has done for gay marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">59. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.christianpost.com\/news\/heart-broken-black-pastors-want-to-meet-obama-over-gay-marriage-75945\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">\u2018Heart-Broken\u2019 Black Pastors Want to Meet Obama Over Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">60. <a href=\"http:\/\/themonkeycage.org\/blog\/2012\/06\/01\/interpreting-gay-marriage-poll-results-do-the-bumps-and-wiggles-mean-anything\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Interpreting Gay Marriage Poll Results: Do the Bumps and Wiggles Mean Anything?<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">61. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.salon.com\/2012\/05\/24\/when_leaders_actually_lead\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">When leaders actually lead<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">62. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/saladin-ambar\/obama-gay-marriage_b_1573967.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama, Gay Rights and the Abrahamic Law of Politics<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">63. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.huffingtonpost.com\/keith-boykin\/black-community-gay-marriage_b_1567781.html\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Why Blacks Evolved So \u2018Quickly\u2019 on Gay Marriage<\/a><\/span><br><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\"><br><\/span><span style=\"font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif\">64. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.truthdig.com\/report\/item\/obamas_confederate_marriage_policy_20120607\/\" class=\" decorated-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\">Obama\u2019s Confederate Marriage Policy<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2251,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2042","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>President Obama and Marriage Equality: A Reader<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"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\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/rhetoricraceandreligion\/2012\/06\/president-obama-and-marriage-equality-a-reader.html\" 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