Rep. Maloney Salutes President Obama's Declaration of Support for Marriage Equality

Statement

Today Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) applauded President Barack Obama's statement of support for marriage equality for same-sex couples. In a statement issued after the President's statement this afternoon, Congresswoman Maloney said:

"I salute our President on becoming the first Chief Executive in American history to support the freedom to marry for same-sex couples.

"As I have long said, the right of a consenting adult to marry a loved one is inherent in the ideal of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' upon which our great nation was founded. Anything less than full marriage equality for same-sex couples constitutes separate and unequal treatment. I am thrilled that President Obama will now lead the growing chorus of Americans who support the freedom to marry for all adults in the United States."

One of the first Members of Congress to support full marriage equality for same-sex couples, Representative Maloney has been an outspoken and effective advocate for equal rights for LGBT persons throughout her career. In addition to introducing legislation in Congress to expand the landmark Family and Medical Leave Act to include same-sex couples, among others, she authored one of the first domestic partnership bills in the nation as a New York City Councilwoman in 1987."

President Obama declared his support for the right of same-sex couples to marry during an interview conducted today with reporter Robin Roberts of ABC News.

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