1. SAME-SEX MARRIAGE
KNOW WHERE THEY STAND | 2012
AN INFOGRAPHIC BY MICAH GARCIA

2. ROMNEY
“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.”
-President Barack Obama to ABC’s
Robin Roberts on May 9th, 2012
EVOLUTION MONEY
HISTORY POWER
CURRENT FACTS
PLATFORM AUDIENCE

3. OBAMA
"I indicated my view, which is I do
not favor marriage between
people of the same gender, and I
do not favor civil unions if they
are identical to marriage other
than by name.”
-Mitt Romney to KDVR’S Jeremy
Hubbard on May 9th, 2012
MONEY EVOLUTION
POWER HISTORY
FACTS CURRENT
AUDIENCE PLATFORM

4. OBAMA
HISTORY ROMNEY
1950’s
Homosexuality is decriminalized in Sweden 1980’s
and Greece, though it remains a criminal act The term AIDS is coined in 1982.
in much of the world. LGBT rights groups Gerry Studds becomes the first
form, foreshadowing a more organized openly gay congressman. The AIDS
movement. Coalition (ACT-UP) is formed in
PSA VIDEO
1960’s 1987.
STUDDS AIDS ACT-UP
Homosexuality statutes are incrementally
dismantled in some states in the U.S. The 1990’s
Stonewall riots occur in New York. The
Mattachine Society, amongst others, stage The red ribbon becomes a symbol for the
protests and sit-ins that catalyze the LGBT fight against AIDS. “Don’t ask, don’t tell” is
rights movement. STONEWALL established. Brandon Teena is murdered.
TIMELINE The Defense of Marriage Act is passed. Civil
1970’s Unions become legal in California.
Pride celebrations are held in New York and DSM II DON’T
WHITE ASK, DON’T
other major cities in the U.S. Homosexuality
MILK NIGHT TELL
is removed from the DSM II. The White Night
TEENA
riots happen in San Francisco. Harvey Milk is
assassinated. Harry Hay organizes groups of HAY NYC
PRIDE DOMA
radical homosexual rights advocates.

5. OBAMA
AUDIENCE ROMNEY
Evidence indicates that Obama’s affirmation of his support for same-
sex marriage will resonate strongly with young voters, women, and
residents of the Northeast and West coasts. These groups were also
integral to Obama’s 2008 victory, meaning that his official stance will
likely appeal to his base. This is particularly important since recent
polling has shown a near-even split in support amongst the
aforementioned demographic. However, by taking this stance Obama
also risks loosing support from Latinos and African Americans;
demographics that were critical to Obama in 2008.
YOUNG WAINING
DEMOGRAPHICS WOMEN
VOTERS SUPPORT

6. OBAMA
AUDIENCE ROMNEY
Mitt Romney’s anti-marriage / anti-civil union stance
towards same-sex marriage will likely galvanize his base. REPUBLICANS
According to recent polls, Republicans are overwhelmingly
opposed to same-sex unions, as are religious THE ELDERLY
fundamentalists and the elderly. These demographics have
helped republicans win in the past, making this stance RELIGIOUS
potentially pivotal in Romney’s campaign. However, this FUNDAMENTALISM
stance might also alienate women and young voters;
demographics which were firmly behind Obama in 2008.

7. OBAMA
CURRENT EVENTS ROMNEY
2005-2008: New York recognizes all same-sex
2009: The Westboro Baptist Church
marriages, but does not legalize marriage. New
protests at the 2009 Academy Awards,
Jersey, Iowa, Washington, Oregon, Connecticut, a
likely in response to the biographical film
nd California legalize same-sex marriages and/or
Milk which was nominated for eight (and
civil unions.
MORE won two) Oscars. The protest sparked
widespread outrage.
MORE
2009: Washington, Wisconsin, Washington D.C.,
Nevada, and Vermont legalize same-sex
marriages and/or civil unions.
MORE
2012: Obama affirms his support for
same-sex marriage. North Carolina bans 2010-2011: California overturns same-sex
same-sex marriage. marriages (proposition 8), but upholds the
legality of existing marriages. New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Delaware, Hawaii, and
NC OBAMA Illinois legalize same-sex marriages and/or civil
unions. PROP 8

8. OBAMA
FACTS ROMNEY
The Federal Defense of Marriage Act, signed Vermont, New
into law on Sept. 21, 1996, defines marriage Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut,
as being between one man and one woman. New York, Washington D.C., Iowa, and
This means that same-sex marriages are not Washington currently allow same-sex
recognized at the federal level in any capacity marriages. Maine, Rhode
and states reserve the right to not recognize Island, Maryland, Delaware, New
same-sex marriages performed in another
state. Jersey, Illinois, Wisconsin, Colorado, Calif
ornia, Nevada, and Oregon allow civil
FULL TEXT unions or domestic partnerships.
A 2012 Gallup poll shows that half of MAP
Americans support same-sex Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Canada, Spain, South
marriage. DATA Africa, Norway, Sweden, Argentina, Iceland, and
Portugal have legalized same-sex marriage.
Based on data collected by the Pew MORE
Research Center, public opinion has
shifted in favor of gay marriage since 48% of Democrats and 24% of Republicans
2008. support same-sex marriage rights, while each
DATA party’s support has grown since in recent years.
SAME-SEX V.
DATA
HETEROSEXUAL COUPLES

9. OBAMA
PRESIDENTIAL POWER ROMNEY
No president, current or future, has the power to
allow or ban same-sex marriage across all 50
states. However, the president does have a great
deal of influence over the legislative system and
can push for legislation on same-sex marriage.
Additionally, the president can greatly influence
the public perception of same-sex marriage.
MORE Constitutional amendments have been
proposed as an option for expanding same-
sex marriage rights by both Democrats and
Republicans. Though this is an option,
constitutional amendments are inherently
difficult to pass.
MORE
Remember: Due to the many roles
7 ROLES
that the president must fill, it is hard
to quantify the power that he has
POWERS
over any one issue (the links to the
right should help). INFLUENCE

10. OBAMA
MONEY ROMNEY
Campaign Contributions by SOURCE
Mitt Romney $250 Same-Sex Interest Groups
Barack Obama $41,740
Over
INTEREST
MORE
GROUPS BY
AMOUNT Arcus Foundation
$3 Million
CONTRIBUTED associated with the gay
Human Rights Campaign rights lobby in 2011
Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund
Service Members Legal
Defense Network
TOP 4 CONTRIBUTORS
Hudson River Ventures
Gill Foundation
LA Gay & Lesbian Center
Log Cabin Republicans

11. OBAMA
MONEY ROMNEY
Campaign Contributions by SOURCE
Mitt Romney $250 Same-Sex Interest Groups
Barack Obama $41,740
The National Rifle
Association, whose leaders
Retiree organizations have donated nearly are in unanimous opposition NRA
$20 million to Romney’s campaign, making to same-sex marriage, have
LEADERSHIP
them the largest overall donors. Opposition contributed nearly
to same-sex marriage is also more prevalent
amongst the elderly and retired. $1.4 million
SOURCE to Romney’s campaign.
The Family Research Council, which is an anti-
LGBT hate group as designated by the
Southern Poverty Law Center, has endorsed
Mitt Romney. Though the organization hasn’t
made official donations to Romney’s
campaign, individual members have

12. OBAMA
PARTY PLATFORM ROMNEY
Freedom to Marry. We support the A Sacred Contract: Defense of
right of all families to have equal Marriage
respect, responsibilities, and That is why Congressional Republicans
protections under the law. We support took the lead in enacting the Defense
marriage equality and support the of Marriage Act, affirming the right of
movement to secure equal treatment States and the federal government
under law for same-sex couples. We not to recognize same-sex
also support the freedom of churches relationships licensed in other
and religious entities to decide how to jurisdictions.
administer marriage as a religious
sacrament without government
interference.
PLATFORM PLATFORM

13. OBAMA
EVOLUTION ROMNEY
“I favor legalizing same-sex marriages, and would
fight efforts to prohibit such marriages.”
MORE
-Barack Obama to Outlines, 1996
“I believe marriage is between a man and a
VIDEO woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.”
-Barack Obama to MTV, Nov. 2008
“My feelings about this are constantly
evolving. I struggle with this. At this point, what
I’ve said is, is that my baseline is a strong civil
union that provides them the protections and VIDEO
the legal rights that married couples have,”
-President Barack Obama to ABC’s Jack Tapper
in Dec. 2010
“it is important for me to go ahead and affirm
that I think same-sex couples should be able to
VIDEO get married.”
-President Barack Obama to ABC’s Robin
Roberts on May 9th 2012

14. OBAMA
EVOLUTION ROMNEY
Romney writes a letter to the Log Cabin
FULL TEXT Republicans expressing his support for same-sex
rights during his 1994 run for senate
A Massachusetts court legalizes same-sex
MORE
marriage during Romney’s term as governor.
Nov. 18, 2003
“I don’t want civil unions or gay marriage.”
VIDEO
Mitt Romney to MSNBC’s Chris Matthews in
2008
“I’ve always opposed gay marriage. I believe
that we should provide equal rights to
people regardless of their sexual orientation
but I do not believe that marriage should be FULL TEXT
between two people of the same gender.”
Mitt Romney at the FOX/WSJ debate Jan.
16, 2012