Speak Out: Obama Backs Same-Sex Marriage

Facing pressure to take a stand, President Barack Obama on Wednesday said he supports same-sex marriage.

In an interview with ABC News’ Robin Roberts, Obama (D) described his “evolution” on the issue through talks with friends, and reflection on military personnel and members of his own staff who, he said, “are not able to commit themselves in a marriage,” adding that “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.”

Excerpts of the interview are scheduled to appear on ABC’s World News with Diane Sawyer on Wednesday evening. The full interview is scheduled to appear on ABC’s Good Morning America on Thursday morning.

Voters in North Carolina on Tuesday showed strong support for a ban on same-sex marriage, approving a constitutional amendment by more than 20 percentage points, The New York Times reported.

Obama said he was “disappointed” with the North Carolina vote, The Huffington Post reported. 

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Virginia is one of 28 states that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.

In Maryland, the General Assembly . The law would take effect in January, but is likely to face a referendum on the November ballot first.

Tell us: Will Obama's announcement hurt his chances to carry Virginia in 2012 as he did in 2008?