President Obama expressed deep pride in the Illinois General Assembly after it became the 15 state on Tuesday to legalize same-sex marriage.
Obama, who served in the state’s General Assembly, came out in favor of same sex marriage ahead of his reelection last year after years of stating that his views were “evolving” on the issue.
The president’s support of civil union dates back to 2004.
Here’s what Obama had to say about the vote in Illinois:
“Tonight, I applaud the men and women of the Illinois General Assembly, a body in which I was proud to serve, for voting to legalize marriage equality in my home state.
As President, I have always believed that gay and lesbian Americans should be treated fairly and equally under the law. Over time, I also came to believe that same-sex couples should be able to get married like anyone else. So tonight, Michelle and I are overjoyed for all the committed couples in Illinois whose love will now be as legal as ours – and for their friends and family who have long wanted nothing more than to see their loved ones treated fairly and equally under the law.
