Former Secretary of State and First Lady Hillary Clinton made quite a splash on Monday when she announced her support of same-sex marriage in a six-minute video released by the Human Rights Campaign. She became the latest public political figure to do so and her support is being saluted by the White House. The Washington Times reports Monday that the White House applauded Hillary for coming out for gay marriage.
Hillary's announcement of support comes just weeks after her husband, former President Bill Clinton, urged the Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act, a law he signed into effect in 1996. In the video the former First Lady called for a need to invest in national security and other domestic needs as well as a need to live up to ideals associated with the rights of gays and lesbians.
With a warmth and spirit of inclusion in her voice she says: "LGBT American are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones -- and they are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage."
White House spokesman Jay Carney acknowledged Hillary Clinton,s announcement and told reporters that this support from a public official which embraces a commitment towards equality is always a good thing. He stated that he did not talk to President Barack Obama about the video but is sure Obama feels the same way he does.
"I know that that's what he feels in general when major figures in our society make their views known. And it's testimony to how far this country and how quickly this country has traveled, as he has said."
Hillary says she now supports same-sex marriage "personally and as a matter of policy and law". Some believe this move could be a lead way into Mrs. Clinton possibly running for president in 2016. But for those who involved in same-sex relationships, married and hoping to marry, her announcement was another testimony towards another leap in embracing equality.
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