Obama supports same-sex marriage
PRESIDENT of the United States Barack Obama now publicly supports same-sex marriage describing his view as an "evolving position".
In an interview with the American ABC News, Mr Obama said he had concluded that it was important for him to "affirm that I think same-sex couples should be able to get married".
CNN reported the new-found position put the president at odds with likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
His announcement Wednesday in support of same-sex marriage was the first by a sitting president.
It was not immediately clear how Obama's decision might play out at the voting booth.
A Gallup Poll released Tuesday indicated 50% of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law as valid, with 48% saying such marriages should not be legal.
But a CNN/ORC poll, taken in late March, indicated policies towards gays and lesbians were tied for last in the most-important issues facing the country.
The president has reportedly said he supported the concept of states deciding the issue on their own.
Mr Obama said his daughters, Malia and Sasha, have friends whose parents are same-sex couples.
"It wouldn't dawn on them that somehow their friends' parents would be treated differently," he said.
"It doesn't make sense to them and frankly, that's the kind of thing that prompts a change in perspective."
