In Collier County and around the state gay rights supporters expressed relief with President Barack Obama's endorsement of same-sex marriage Wednesday.
And so did at least one prominent opponent, an Orlando attorney who lead a successful 2008 campaign to curb gay marriage in Florida.
"In a certain sense, I respect and appreciate his honesty in coming clean with the American people in his position," said John Stemberger. "I don't think he was being honest for four years. I think he believed this all along."
For Ruth Dorfman, vice president of the Collier County chapter of Parents, Families, & Friends of Lesbians and Gays, or PFLAG, Obama's declaration Wednesday was a long time coming.
"I think that it was a slow process. I know that it's an education process," she said. "When I learned myself that I had a lesbian daughter, it took time to get used to the idea."
Obama's statement "will help other people to recognize what it is, that families deserve nothing less that the equal respect and recognition that comes with marriage," she said.
Floridians took a tough stance on gay marriage, effectively banning it in 2008 with the Florida Marriage Protection Amendment, which defined marriage as "the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife."
Sixty-two percent of voters backed the amendment to the state constitution, sponsored by Stemberger's Florida Family Policy Council. Approval of the amendment in Collier and Lee was slightly higher, at 63 percent and 65 percent respectively.
In 2004, when Massachusetts became the first state to legalize gay marriage, Steve Goldenberg and his then-partner, now-husband, split their time between homes there and in Naples. That year, the couple got the first same-sex marriage license issued by the town clerk in Falmouth, Goldenberg said, and married on Cape Cod that July. The couple now lives full-time in East Naples.
"I really do believe that 10, 20 or 30 years from now, people are going to look back and go,'why was that an issue?'" Goldenberg said.
In light of Vice President Joe Biden's declaration of support for gay marriage earlier in the week, and a vote in North Carolina Tuesday defining marriage as between one man and one woman, Goldenberg believes Obama would have been pressured to speak publicly on the issue, and the announcement was "a calculation" to go public with his viewpoint rather than wait until closer to the election.
"I accept the fact that his views evolved. My guess ... it didn't just happen to him today," Goldenberg said.
For him, the statement caps Obama's support for gay rights, notably backing the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, the U.S. military policy regarding homosexuals until Sept. 2011.
The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) currently defines marriage to include one man and one woman. However, last year Obama announced the Department of Justice would no longer defend the law, a move Goldenberg believes showed the president's support for the gay community despite no vocal endorsement of gay marriage until Wednesday.
"We applaud the President for taking this courageous step forward," said Nadine Smith, executive director of St. Petersburg gay rights advocacy group Equality Florida.
According to a Gallup poll released earlier this week, 50 percent of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be legally recognized — down slightly from 53 percent last year. As for what Obama's statement will mean for the presidential elections in November, Stemberger speculates minority supporters — specifically black and Latino voters — may now shun the president.
A 2010 poll by Pew Research Center showed that while 44 percent of white non-Hispanics backed marriage equality that year, the number dropped to 41 percent for Hispanics and 30 percent for black non-Hispanics.
There is some room for contention, however. Hispanics share almost identical views as the general public on whether homosexuality should be accepted by society, according to a Pew Hispanic Center study released earlier this year, at a rate of 58 percent. The poll did not specifically ask however about same-sex unions.
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Comments » 66
Ruger writes:
Meanwhile, there are real issues that need addressed...
http://www.usdebtclock.org/world-debt...
NeezDutz writes:
All political. So Sad. Only reason he "openly" supports is due to most republicans appose it.
That's it, political.
As far as marriage, i dont care either way.
It's one's belief. Just like http://www.nambla.org/
As long as everyone has the right to do what they want... right?
Also, i see Stemberger is right and wrong here...
"Wrong" - Obama being honest now...
"Right" - Obama not being honest for four years.
"In a certain sense, I respect and appreciate his honesty in coming clean with the American people in his position," said John Stemberger. "I don't think he was being honest for four years. I think he believed this all along."
wentfishn writes:
Think about what this country would be like if stupid people couldnt vote? Thinkaboutit.
Gifted1 writes:
Really? This makes you " so sad" ? We invaded a country and have killed hundreds of innocent civilians in an attempt to find WMD, but this stance He has taken makes you sad.......
That's it, political.
Gifted1 writes:
WOW! Then we'd really be third world by now, rather then second fiddle.
WhoHa writes:
Those of you that don't believe this was strictly a political move need to pull your head out of that dark space and see the light!
wonderful (Inactive) writes:
This isn't very happy?, eh!
Why bring up real important issues when everybody is dancing around the May Day Pole?
Killjoy!
Robertofnaples writes:
My thoughts are the following.
1. It certainly is a human rights issue. America always supports Human Rights.
2. Any marriage, outside of a church wedding; should be considered a Civil Union.
3. It makes no legal sense to prohibit two Human Beings; from getting married.
4. With the number of Heterosexual marriages that end in divorce; Gay marriage threatens that institution how?
5. Gay persons, that are of legal age, and can find a Church to marry them (Episcapalian), should be recognized as a married couple; period!!!
Coastal writes:
115,000 jobs were created in April, but in order for the Obama regime to claim the unemployment fell to 8.1% they had to remove 522,000 Americans out of the labor force numbers.
That officially brings our labor force participation rate to a 30 year low of 64.3%.
HAP writes:
You gross people have no right to bring God into the debate. He has nothing to do with your decision. In fact, it's just downright disgusting. Get the help you need.
BobinNaples writes:
No, NeezDuts. No matter how much you and catholic clergy wish it, child molestation is NOT consensual.
Gifted1 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Max_Headroom writes:
Why are HOMOSEXUAL women called 'lesbians' and HOMOSEXUAL men called 'gay'?
Why the double standard?
FECOYLE writes:
SICK!
Gifted1 writes:
Robert, way to be against this but trying to put frosting on it on your:
#2 Any marriage should be just that. Any marriage.
#5 Gays should not have to search out "special " churches
It's ok. Just come out and say whether your fully behind this, or if you disagree with it.
Remember...religion and its followers have killed more persons in the past 2000 years than all maladies combined.
Shaawe writes:
GOD is disgusting?
NeezDutz writes:
As much as you would like to accuse, i am no where near Catholic. So sad how you have to insult me because you can't give an intellectual response.
Try again.
BobinNaples writes:
Murder, rape, slavery - I think we can all agree the God of the Old Testament is disgusting.
DinNaples writes:
Perhaps you should believe.
wentfishn writes:
I realy meant alot further back than the last election. Thinkaboutit!
Gifted1 writes:
God is obviously nonsense except to the thousands of followers who kill others on his behalf each year. Oh, and also to the thousands of persons each year who do despicable acts then find this "elusive" god ( purposely not capitalized ) and ask for his forgiveness. Obviously they would turn to religion because that is where the snakes roam and rule and acceptance is most easily found!
RickScott writes:
don't believe in gay marriage. I think if everybody is allowed to get married it lessens it and doesn't make it special. Civil Unions work just fine.
BobinNaples writes:
Your denial of being catholic but no denial of your preference for child molestation is duly noted.
There is no insult to you here. Your implication that your preference to child molestation is somehow similar to gay marriage does not make sense. Again, no insult implied.
Let me help you understand: When you have sex with children, it is non-consensual. When two adults (gay or straight) get married, it is consensual.
RickScott writes:
don't believe in gay marriage. I think if everybody is allowed to get married it lessens it and doesn't make it special. Civil Unions work just fine.
and nice choice of words.."evolving"..just say what you mean..flip flopping.
Gifted1 writes:
"everybody" ???
Everyone is not allowed to get married.
However you are entitled to your opinion and I appreciate the explanation that followed it. I disagree with it, but who agrees on everything?
and as for your swipe at our President. Just come out and say you don't like him. It's ok.
Whether he was evolving, flip flopping or had a change of mind, who cares. You don't still really believe in everything you believed in twenty years ago, do you?
Ghostrider19 writes:
National divorce rate is around 50%, if they can do a better job of being married, give them a shot. Lord knows there are bigger issues.
Same with adoption, they want to adopt go for it, the children could be alot worse off...they could be put with a heterosexual Casey Anthony, now that would be sad.
Illusion writes:
The government has no right to to be involved in the decision of marriage, especially if you consider marriage a religious event.
Ghostrider19 writes:
Well said Ruger.
DinNaples writes:
STOP!
Stop trying to redefine marriage. If the homosexual community wishes to unite in some way no problem. Just leave the traditional definition of marriage alone.
Stop trying to redefine homosexuality. It is what it is. Give me back the word gay to its traditional meaning.
Finally, stop trying to redefine religion. It is what it is. Believe if you wish, that is an individual decision. Leave my beliefs as they are. Why do you wish to change my life?
Native writes:
Must have soap-on-a-rope in the White House. Can't fix stupid
.
garyOfTheGulf writes:
Well, thats taken care of!! Now what about the deficit?
Shaawe writes:
STOP? I don't think so, lol. Well, according to Webster the definition is as follows:
"Definition of MARRIAGE
1a (1) : the state of being united to a person of the opposite sex as husband or wife in a consensual and contractual relationship recognized by law (2) : the state of being united to a person of the same sex in a relationship like that of a traditional marriage <same-sex marriage> b : the mutual relation of married persons : wedlock c : the institution whereby individuals are joined in a marriage
2: an act of marrying or the rite by which the married status is effected; especially : the wedding ceremony and attendant festivities or formalities
3: an intimate or close union <the marriage of painting and poetry." There ya go, it is what it is.
DonkeyWhispererakaDuh_novan writes:
evolution sucks!
Ruger writes:
This is what radical atheists actually believe?
About 90% of Americans believe in God...
http://www.gallup.com/poll/147887/ame...
The followers of the moon god (allah) are the one's doing the killing you have described, learn the difference and you will not embarrass yourself.
Bonus question:
Why did God destroy Sodom and Gomorrah?
Quietcat writes:
Married, heterosexual couples are given preferential treatment in law and society because the purpose of marriage (traditionally) was to form a family, put down roots, and have children to contribute to society and continue civilization. Once those goals are altered to make homosexual couples equal that opens the door for other groups to claim preferential treatment as well. This is the normal course of events and this issue needs to be looked at in that light, not just as a decision for political expediency.
It is sad that so many marriages end in divorce, but it doesn't alter the fact that marriage between a man and a woman is still the "natural" way for things to be and that failure rate has no bearing on that fact. If being gay was "natural" there would be no future for the human race. That is a biological fact. That doesn't mean I dislike gay people or think they should be discriminated against, I just think making their relationships equal to those of man/woman marriages is a mistake.
bh1799 writes:
and just who decides who is stupid and who isn't? YOU????????????????
NeezDutz writes:
Not real sure what you are talking about but thanks for the insult.
sad for you, that is the way you know how to respond
bh1799 writes:
dear loose cannon:
it is the state that issues you/ anyone a marriage license! they're government... and not all marriages are performed in a religious setting.
wentfishn writes:
Heyyy I just put a thought out there to think about? Calm down.
kcook writes:
Political, seriously??? Not hardly....he put any chance of re-election at major risk by expressing this view. The fact of the matter is the "gay vote" is a huge minority when compared to the much wider views against gay marriage. Not to mention, the fact is that most of the gay population already votes democrat vs republican. I applaud him for speaking up for what he believes in and taking a big risk.
cabagepalm writes:
One mans "evelotion" is another mans "flip flop".
redbarn11 writes:
OBAMA WAS AGAINST GAYS....MARRIAGE!!! : )
Now he is for it ?? So really he is NOT for gay marriage! Its only for politic s / votes. WAKE up. If your PRO union between MAN and a WOMAN. High 5' to ya keep the good life rolling....
jacktanner writes:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politica...
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-...
http://dailypaul.com
dano5100 writes:
What religion were Stalin, Hitler and Mao followers of?
lemonjello writes:
Obviously, you do not use an English book.
SunStar writes:
It's unnatural and hence should be illegal. It would destroy the concept of marriage and family. It would be a bad example for future generations. It's a mental condition that could be treated and fixed just like all other ailments. Humankind has paid the price whenever they moved against Mother Nature and the social discipline!
OddsMaker (Inactive) writes:
I contacted my spy inside NDN; the poll is rigged.
NDN is putting the brakes on "NO" votes.
NeezDutz writes:
You called me a child molester. that's an insult.
mr_1_term_proposition writes:
Obama is like a fish out of water on this issue, the liar has flip flopped so much on this since 1996 a whole 16 foot cast net full of mullet could not flop around that much!
drolds writes:
This topic seems to relove around religon for most of you. Let's see if I can explain this so some of you can understand. " Religion is an insult to human dignity. Without it, you will have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, it takes religion"
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