Ahead of his up-coming Australian visit, United States President Barack Obama has condemned North Carolina's legislature for introducing a ban on same-sex marriage, one that closely resembles the Howard Government's 2004 Marriage Act amendment banning same-sex marriages.
Following the the North Carolina decision, the White House issued a statement saying: "The President believes strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away.”
The White House statement went on to say "The President has long believed that gay and lesbian couples deserve the same rights and legal protections as straight couples” and referenced President Obama's opposition to the US Defense of Marriage Act or "DOMA" which prohibits federal recognition of state same-sex marriages. (Further reporting here)
Alex Greenwich, National Convener of Australian Marriage Equality, said: "Clearly, President Obama is on a journey towards acceptance of marriage equality, and it's my hope he will share this journey with Prime Minister Gillard when they meet later this year"
The Obama statement comes at the same time as former US Republican Party Vice President, Dick Cheney, has confirmed his support for marriage equality, telling the popular US Chat Show The View, "I think freedom means freedom for everybody”
Meanwhile, a new Associated Press poll released today shows a steady and growing majority of 54% Americans support marriage equality. (Poll details here)
Mr Greenwich welcomed the poll and added "We know more Australians support same-sex marriage than Americans, and we are ever hopeful that the leaders of both major parties will start opening their hearts and minds to marriage equality, in the way that President Obama and Former Vice President Dick Cheney have".
Related artilce from nydailynews.com.
Dick Cheney, former vice president, on gay marriage on 'The View': I don't have a problem with it
Dick Cheney may be a neo-con, but when it comes to gay marriage, he's still downright progressive.
The former vice president reaffirmed his support for same-sex marriage alongside his wife Lynne on Tuesday's "The View."
"I think freedom means freedom for everybody," said the 70-year-old, who is on a book tour promoting his memoir.
"And you ought to have the right to make whatever choice you want to make with respect to your own personal situation. I certainly don't have a problem with it," added Cheney, whose daughter, Mary, is a lesbian.
Cheney's boss, President George W. Bush, backed a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage while in office.
Cheney has previously said each state should decide. He even has gone as far as saying "people ought to be free to enter into any kind of union they wish, any kind of arrangement they wish."
Cheney has remained largely out of the spotlight since his term ended in 2009.
His wife told "The View" hosts that their 42-year-old daughter and her partner Heather have two kids.
"Whatever Mary and Heather decide to do is up to Mary and Heather," said Lynne.
Co-host Barbara Walters asked, "So you're not against gay marriage?"
"That right," said Lynne to an applauding audience.
The only time the interview became heated was when Walters asked Cheney if the Iraq war was worth the human and financial toll.
Cheney said it was then stopped Walters when she tried to interrupt him with a commercial.
"I listened to the question," said a testy Cheney. "I get to give the answer, Barbara."
He also garnered a few laughs when asked how he'd deal with the divisive nature of Washington, D.C., today.
Ahead of his up-coming Australian visit, United States President Barack Obama has condemned North Carolina's legislature for introducing a ban on same-sex marriage, one that closely resembles the Howard Government's 2004 Marriage Act amendment banning same-sex marriages.