Today the President of the United States said this.
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”
Obama being interviewed regarding marriage equality.
Why Marriage Matters Alabama is proud of President Barack Obama for taking a stand for fairness and for equality.
Others will be quick to criticize, but we feel this can be used to spread the word about equality.
After you start the conversation, send your friends and family to this site to get more information.
And please consider donating to Why Marriage Matters Alabama so we can continue to spread the word about equality.
whymarriagemattersalabama.wordpress.com 
It was in 1966 in northern Alabama and I was ten years old. My sister, 7 years my senior was graduating from High School and none other than Gov George Wallace was giving the commencement address. My memory is still burned with the KKK rallies and “For Whites Only” signs that dotted our community from laundry mats to eateries.
Jump forward to June 2, 2012, a Saturday in Tuscaloosa Alabama. Standing in front of the old state capitol ruins at Capitol Park I felt overwhelmed with pride as I officiated over the commitment ceremony of a Gay African American couple in front of that historic spot in this conservative state. There were no fears of riots or burning crosses as I, a white skinned man, stood in the midst of mostly African Americans to celebrate the love between this same sex couple.
Yes, progress has been made. And in one of the most conservative parts of this nation we are gradually moving towards to freedoms. Yet much more needs to be done. As an ex-clergyman and now wedding officiant i understand not only the marriage laws but also the history of the marriage license. Few know that the first marriage licenses issued were issued in the mid- 1800s and were issued as a racist document. Most all states had in their state’s constitution a ban against inter-racial marriages. By the mid 1800s a few more liberal states, needing revenue, decided to allow for inter-racial marriage IF the couple would file a request with the state and ask for permission and pay a fee. This worked so effectively that before long everyone seeking marriage was required to apply to the state and pay a fee to get permission to marry.
Surprising or not it was none other than the state of Alabama which was the last to remove the prohibition against inter-racial marriage from their constitution not doing so until the year 2000.
I applaud you for organizing and seeking to educate our citizens and law-makers regarding marriage.
To see photos of same sex commitment ceremonies, including the one of June 6 at Capitol Park please visit my web site at http://kelseygraham.com.
Keep up the good work!!!
Dr Kelsey Graham