President Barack Obama today said he now supports allowing same-sex couples to marry, a remarkable moment in the history of LGBT civil rights.  Victory Fund president and CEO Chuck Wolfe issued the following message in response to the news:

Remember this moment.

Minutes ago Barack Obama became the first American president to say he supports allowing loving, committed same-sex couples to enter into civil marriages.  I want to congratulate the president for this bold and welcome move.

This is a watershed moment for the LGBT civil rights movement, but it’s also a call to action.  A president’s vocal support for our community is a fantastic asset, but nothing can replace the hard work it will take to ensure we win the rights we deserve.

This year in Maryland and Washington state, marriage equality laws long sought by openly gay and lesbian state lawmakers were finally passed.  Those successes came after determined efforts by coalitions of national, state and local LGBT groups, as well as tireless lobbying by the men and women whose lives would be most affected by these victories.

This year we have the opportunity to greatly expand our community’s voice in government.   We will elect LGBT lawmakers who will fight for us every day.  And now they will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their president as they ask their fellow Americans for the simple protections and responsibilities that come with marriage.