On Nov. 5, 2013, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill legalizing same sex marriage, putting the state on course to become the 15th state to legalize same-sex marriage. People across the country rejoiced over the good news, but few were more ecstatic than President Obama, who served in Illinois, and first lady Michelle Obama.
According to Queerty, in a statement released to the media, President Obama commended the Illinois politicians for voting in favor of marriage equality.
“Tonight, I applaud the men and women of the Illinois General Assembly, a body in which I was proud to serve, for voting to legalize marriage equality in my home state,” he said.
President Obama then spoke about his own journey to supporting marriage equality and explained that he believes that his marriage is no different or more special than that of any gay couple’s.
“As president, I have always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Over time, I also came to believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married like anyone else. So tonight, Michelle and I are overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois whose love will now be as legal as ours — and for their friends and family who have long wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and equally under the law,” he said.
We echo Obama’s sentiments about Illinois and hope that our nation’s remaining states will follow suit in legalizing same-sex marriage.
Check out some other politicians who support same-sex marriage after the cut. –nicholas robinson
