Thank you, President Obama.

[Fearless]

41. The largest concern about DOMA is not getting your marriage recognized in other states

It's getting your marriage recognized in YOUR state so that you have the benefits afforded to heterosexual married couples. Additionally, without a federal ruling/law stating favor for marriage equality, the federal government is under no obligation to recognize non-heterosexual marriages in ANY state. Non-heterosexual married couples will still lose out on the rights and benefits afforded to heterosexual married couples notwithstanding those they have or will get by separate, non-complete decrees.

As to the issue at hand today, the statement by the president was landmark and important. It has never been done before, not even close. This is huge! We now have a person in a singularly large position of power and authority, who is also the de facto head of the Democratic Party, in an election year voicing support for marriage equality. A lot can be done using his clout to further LGBT equality and it needs to begin now, on day one!

Providing benefits to White House staff, telling the US AG to stop enforcing Section 3 of DOMA, and eventually, begrudgingly removing DADT, are all steps in the right direction. However, they are not complete victories. We do not yet have marriage equality in this nation for all of our citizens. Until that day, he, in his privileged position, MUST act on our behalf for this statement today to be as successful as it could be.