After support for same-sex marriages, Obama calls for marriage equality | WPN World People News

Days after his announcement of support for same-sex marriage, President Barack Obama said at a New York City fundraiser event Monday that he believes marriage equality "strengthens families".

"I want everyone treated fairly in this country. We have never gone wrong when we've extended rights and responsibilities to everybody," he told gay and lesbian supporters and others at a fundraiser hosted by singer Ricky Martin and the LGBT Leadership Council.

"It's the right thing to doThat doesn't weaken families, that strengthens families.," the president said to big applause.

Obama also called for repealing the Defense of Marriage Act, a 1996 federal law defining marriage as between a man and a woman. While his administration has put out statements on the idea of repealing the law and also refused to defend it in court challenges, it is the first time that Obama has openly spoken about repeal.

Republican presidential front runner Mitt Romney has said that marriage is defined as being between a man and woman.

While he did not mention Romney by name, Obama drew contrasts between his ideology and of the Republicans, promoting a theme of "togetherness."

"It's been said this election is going to be about values. I absolutely agree. It's about the economic values we have, about the values I believe will make America so special: everybody gets a fair shot, everybody gets a fair share, everybody plays by the same set of rules," he said.

Source: United States News.Net