New York, NY, May 10, 2012 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) welcomed President Barack Obama's affirmation that same-sex couples should be able to marry, calling the president's statement "a significant and historic step forward" in the quest for equal rights and freedom from discrimination. 

Robert G. Sugarman, ADL National Chair, and Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director, issued the following statement: 

We strongly welcome the President's endorsement of same-sex marriage equality.  It is a significant and historic step forward in the pursuit of equal opportunity, individual liberty and freedom from discrimination, and underscores the fact that no American should be denied access to the benefits of civil marriage because of his or her sexual orientation.  All citizens should be entitled to the same rights, protections and benefits.   

ADL has long supported efforts to extend all the rights, protections and benefits of civil marriage to same-sex couples.