''I think gays and lesbians have a friend in the White House, because I've consistently committed myself to civil unions, making sure they have the ability to visit each other in hospitals, that they're able to access benefits, that they have a whole host of legal rights that they currently do not have. I don't think it makes sense for the federal government to get in the business of determining what marriage is, that isn't traditionally the federal governments role.''

President Barack Obama speaking with Brian Williams of NBC News who asked, "Do gay and lesbian couples who wish to marry in this country have a friend in the White House?" His reply, of course, does not appear to address any of the negative issues associated with the Defense of Marriage Act which is a federal law that has banned recognition of anything outside of heterosexual marriages for 13 years. ()