"As a society we should be looking for ways to bring us together and as someone who supports the legal rights of all Americans regardless of sexual-orientation, I appreciate todays decision. As President, I would support giving gays and lesbians the legal rights that married couples get.

If the Massachusetts legislature decides to legalize same-sex marriages, it will be up to each state to decide whether those marriages will be valid in their state-- and that is a choice each state, not the courts, will have to make.

My hope is that disagreements over this issue can be handled with tolerance and understanding."