Mitt Romney, the presumptive presidential nominee for the Republican Party said on Wednesday that he unequivocally is against marriage between two people of the same gender. That came shortly before President Barack Obama announced in an interview with Robin Roberts that he felt it was fine for two people of the same sex to be married. The two main presidential candidates have taken a firm stand on one controversial issue amongst the people of the U.S. and it is now up to the public to decide.
Romney said in a television interview that he opposed marriage between people of the same gender and civil unions between the same gender, if they are identical to marriage except in name. He feels that domestic partnership benefits and visitation rights at hospitals are appropriate but the other content is not.
Romney also said while interviewed for another CBS affiliate that from the beginning he has held this opinion about gay marriage that marriage is between a woman and a man.
Obama up until Wednesday afternoon had been under a great deal of pressure to clarify what his opinion was on same-sex marriages. He said up until today that his opinion and thoughts on the subject were evolving. However, he has since said he agrees with same-sex marriage and has created another battleground for him and Romney to battle over until the November election.
The Obama administration has defended itself in its reelection campaign with regard to its support of LGBT issues. Obama told Robin Roberts, “After much reflection, I have concluded for me personally that I affirm that same sex couples should have the right to be married.”