Napa Valley Register—Locals react to Obama's support for gay marriage

News that President Barack Obama says he supports same-sex marriage raced through Napa on Wednesday afternoon, prompting comments of both support and cynicism.

Obama, who revealed his support for gay marriage in an interview with ABC News, had previously said his personal views of gay marriage were “evolving,” a stance that frustrated gay rights supporters.

Deb Stallings of the Napa Valley Unity League said she was “stunned” by the announcement and described it as “great news” for the LGBT community. Stallings and her wife, Carol Whichard, were the first same-sex couple in Napa County to receive a marriage license.

“He's the strongest ally we've ever had in the White House,” Stallings said. “The most important thing for the LGBT community right now is to get this man re-elected.”

Obama's statement follows closely on the heels of a vote to ban gay marriage in North Carolina â€" considered a swing state in presidential elections. On Tuesday, North Carolina voters supported a same-sex marriage ban to be added to their state constitution.

“(Obama's announcement) is a great reminder that those folks are standing on the wrong side of history,” Stallings said.

Ian Stanley, program director for the Napa LGBTQ Project, described Obama's endorsement as “historic,” but said he celebrates the announcement with “tempered enthusiasm.”

“On one hand, Obama has taken a long-awaited next step to visibly join the majority of Americans in recognizing the equal love, commitment, dignity â€" and need for legal protection and respect â€" for same-sex couples and our families,” Stanley said. “On the other hand, we are still waiting to see his actions and legislative work continue to align with his words.”

Stanley said LGBT people and their allies are still striving for a time in which they can live without discrimination or fear for their personal safety. He said lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people are still excluded from towns solely because they are of a different sexual orientation or gender identity.

Lars Christianson, adviser for Napa Valley College's Queer Student Alliance, said he would have liked if Obama had supported same-sex marriage from the start of his presidency.

“I think it's about time he supported it,” Christianson said. “I had a feeling he would eventually.”

For Christianson, how far the issue goes remains to be seen. “It all depends on the political climate in Washington and how much the right pushes it back,” he said.

Kevin Hangman, chairman of Napa County's Republican Central Committee, said Obama's announcement is a “desperate move” to distract voters from the economy. Hangman described Obama as “the master” of diverting voters' attention.

“This election is not going to be about homosexual marriage. It's not going to be about abortion. It's about the economy,” he said. “Obama is desperate to change the topic. All he's doing is taking the economy off the headlines for a day.”

Napa financial planner Randy Loftin, who is running against Rep. Mike Thompson, D-St. Helena, for the 5th Congressional district, said Obama's priority should be the economy and creating more jobs.

“I would prefer he keep his eye on the ball and get back to work so we can get back to work,” Loftin said.

Loftin said the Obama administration's main motivation is to gather supporters before the November election.

“They're trying to shore up their base with people they've broken promises to since the last campaign,” Loftin said. “For the rest of us, it's abundantly clear now that Obama and his supporters, specifically Nancy Pelosi and Mike Thompson, are out to destroy the traditional values that make America great.”

Thompson issued a statement supporting Obama on Wednesday. Thompson co-wrote legislation that ended the military's Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and also has supported legislation that gives state and local law enforcement the tools to prosecute hate crimes based on sexual orientation.

“Today, the president took an historic stand for love, equality and civil rights. All couples â€" gay or straight â€" should have the right to marry who they love, and I commend the president for his public support of same-sex marriage,” Thompson said.

Sierra Sander-Hewitt, who is active in various Napa Valley LGBT organizations, said she disagrees with critics who say Obama's statement was solely a political move. Many states are split down the middle on the same-sex marriage issue, she said.

“I don't think it's a way to win points, in that respect,” Sander-Hewitt said. “It feels personal to me.”

Associated Press contributed to this story.