President Obama Endorses Same Sex Marriage, Good Or Bad?

In light of the Presidents very bold position embracing same sex marriage in this country, I have some thoughts on this very important, and very divisive issue. Many of those who read me on Facebook may not know this, but I am a 46 year old openly gay man, who has been in a long term committed relationship with my partner Jay for almost 17 years. I applaud the Presidents historic and ground breaking announcement as one more step in his administrations support for not just marriage equality, but gay civil rights on the whole. However, when the champagne stops flowing, and the LGBT community starts cleaning up from its celebrations, there are some hard facts to face. Look at the map below:

40 out of 50 States have Constitutional or State Law bans on same sex marriage, 40! Now national polling may be trending in support of same sex marriage, but this chart is a sobering fact. The Democratic National Convention is going to be held in North Carolina this year. Considered a major new swing state that Obama carried by the narrowest of margins in 2008. On Tuesday North Carolinian's voted to Constitutionally ban gay marriage by 61%... 61%! Think North Carolina is a swing state now? My guess is a resounding No!

Yes this is an astounding moment in American history, and while liberals and progressives may be over the moon, somebody needs to make a reality check here. It took great courage for President Obama to announce his support for same sex marriage, but the political fallout could be devastating. Lets look at this pragmatically. Some of you may say "well the people who don't support marriage equality weren't going to vote for Obama anyway." and that may be true, but here are some things I'm concerned about:

1. This isn't just going to effect the President's re-election bid, but those Democrats in very close races trying to hold the Senate and re-take the House. Namely the razor thin Senate races in Montana, Missouri, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Indiana.
2. This very issue is what cost John Kerry his shot at the Presidency in 2004. Gay rights initiatives in several states that year, helped galvanized conservatives to get out the vote.
3. This plays well with younger people, there is only one problem? Young people don't vote!
4. This doesn't just galvanize conservative in states with gay referendums, but in the country as a whole.
5. The Presidency is decided by independents. For many people sitting the fence, this could become the deal breaker that pushes them to Romney, especially in the bumpkin and bible belt.

Now I could be wrong, the initial Republican response has been to ignore the issue and focus on the economy. However, don't think for one minute Karl Rove and his ilk won't be jumping all over this for the next 6 months. I hope I'm wrong, I hope the Republicans think this is no longer an issue they can win with?, but I doubt it. MSNBC's Chris Matthews has been coining a phrase all week that I find very appropriate. "Don't get so far out in front of the band you can't hear the music". I hope in 6 months he not only hears it, but that it plays all the way up to his re-election. The President has made a courageous move, and taken a tremendous gamble. This will be a true test of the better angels of our nature as a people. Will it prove we are as evolved as some polls would suggest? or do we in fact, still have a lot of work to do, to make an America that embraces all its citizens.