Obama Announces Support for Same-Sex Marriage, Congresswoman Sánchez Applauds Endorsement

President Barack Obama declared on Wednesday that he now supports same-sex marriage, according to the Huffington Post.

The announcement may come as a shock to some, considering that no sitting president has ever publicly backed the issue.

"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't Ask Don't Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve 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," he said during a sit-down interview with ABC's Robin Roberts.

The interview will air in its entirety on Thursday's edition of "Good Morning America."

Following his announcement, Congresswoman Linda Sánchez (CA-39) praised his endorsement.

“I applaud President Obama for endorsing same-sex marriage,” said Congresswoman Sánchez.  “If we truly believe in the Constitution, it’s clear that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered individuals deserve equal rights.  They deserve the right to stand in front of family and friends and proclaim their love and devotion for each other in a ceremony recognized in the eyes of the law.  We have a long way to go before we achieve full equality for the LGBT community, but today’s announcement by the President puts us one step closer.”

Two weeks ago, Congresswoman Sánchez -- a longtime advocate and supporter of equality for gay couples -- introduced the introduction of the Social Security Equality Act of 2012 (H.R. 4609), which would end a Social Security Administration discriminatory policy that denies benefits to same-sex couples.

“No American should ever be treated differently by the country they love because of who they love,” said Congresswoman Sánchez.

H.R. 4609 would eliminate the Social Security Administration’s policy preventing same-sex couples from receiving the same spousal, survivor and death benefits their heterosexual counterparts receive. Congresswoman Sánchez introduced the Social Security Equality Act of 2010 in the previous session of Congress.

Read more about Obama's announcement from the Associated Press.

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