President Barack Obama may be popular with many politically left-leaning celebrities, but some think his views could use reexamination.
“Love and Other Drugs” actress Anne Hathaway, television host Ellen DeGeneres, “Glee” comedian Jane Lynch and several other starlets signed an open letter to Obama on Monday encouraging him to take a different stance on same-sex marriage.
Obama has recently talked about his “evolving” opinion on gay marriage, and celebrities such as Martin Sheen, singer Mya and DeGeneres’s partner Portia de Rossi believe he could be more supportive of the gay rights movement.
The proposal, titled, “Say, ‘I do,’ Mr. President,” is part of a campaign by marriage equality group Freedom to Marry.
The letter, addressed to Obama, reads, “In February, you made a powerful statement about the law. We ask you now for your leadership on ending the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage — an exclusion that harms millions of Americans each day. Whether to end discrimination in marriage is a question America has faced before, and faces again today.”
The letter urges Obama to “end exclusion from marriage” and team up with signers and supporters of the same-sex marriage campaign.
“Mr. President, the time to end exclusion from marriage is now,” says the letter. “We ask you to complete your journey and join us, and the majority of Americans, who support the freedom to marry.”
Freedom to Marry has called on citizens to co-sign the document.
This letter comes after Obama’s February decision to order the Department of Justice to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Obama said recently that his thoughts on gay marriage were “evolving,” but that a “strong civil union” bill would give gays the same rights as straight married couples.