Obama Defends Gay Rights Record

Politico reports:

Amid cheers, President Barack Obama told gay and lesbian supporters Wednesday that he has delivered on his promises — but he gave them no new assurances on gay marriage and acknowledged their disappointment.

“I’ve met my commitments to the LGBT community,” Obama told a few hundred attendees at an LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House. “I know there are going to be times where you’re still frustrated with the pace of change. I understand that. I know I can count on you to let me know.”

Earlier Wednesday, in the same room, Obama had stood before reporters at a news conference and declined to say whether he now supports gay marriage.

He praised the vote by New York legislators last week to legalize same-sex marriage there, calling it “a good thing, because what you saw was the people of New York having a debate, talking through these issues. It was contentious, it was emotional, but ultimately, they made a decision to recognize civil marriages. And I think that’s exactly how things should work.”

Obama, a supporter of civil unions, has opposed same-sex marriage in the past but said during a news conference in December that his “feelings are constantly evolving” on the subject, adding, “I struggle with this.”