NEW YORK — Treading carefully, President Barack Obama praised New York state lawmakers who were debating landmark legislation Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage, saying that is what democracy’s about. But as expected, the president stopped short of endorsing same-sex marriage, instead asking gay and lesbian campaign donors for patience.
“I believe that gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in this country,” he said at a Manhattan fundraiser, his first geared specifically to the gay community.
Coincidentally, the event occurred as lawmakers in Albany were debating legislation that would make New York the sixth, and by far the largest, state to legalize same-sex marriage.
That served to spotlight the president’s own views on same-sex marriage, a sore point with gay supporters who have otherwise warmed to Obama. The president has said his views are “evolving,” but for now he supports civil unions, not same-sex marriage.
Obama said progress will be slower than some people want, but he added that he was confident that there will be a day “when every single American, gay or straight or lesbian or bisexual or transgender, is free to live and love as they see fit.
“Traditionally marriage has been decided by the states, and right now I understand there’s a little debate going on here in New York,” he said to laughter.
New York’s lawmakers, he said, are doing “what democracies are supposed to do.”
As Obama spoke, a few people shouted out “marriage!”
And Obama said, “I heard you guys.” He never directly mentioned same-sex marriage.
Obama said there were those who shouted at him at events about other causes of the gay community, such as the need for anti-hate-crime legislation and for the repeal of the “don’t ask, don’t tell” ban on openly gay military service, and both of those have since been achieved.
“So, yes, we have more work to do,” Obama said. “Yes, we have more progress to make. Yes, I expect continued impatience with me on occasion.”
