Obama's visit to New York City on Thursday included a high-profile fundraiser at the annual LGBT Leadership Gala at the Sheraton New York, in the very midst of 2011 NYC Pride events.

President Obama's stance on same-sex marriage has been said to be evolving. And now it might have come to a new phase. Obama has publicly expressed his opposition to gay marriage throughout his career in national politics. When he ran for office in 2008, he clearly stated that he was opposed to same-sex marriage, while running as an ardent supporter of the homosexual community.

The fact Obama fundamentally supports full equality for gays and lesbians and opposes a federal ban on same-sex marriage tells at least the major direction of what his position is evolving toward

RELATED STORIES
U.S. President Barack Obama participates in a gala fundraiser for the gay community in New York City
U.S. President Barack Obama participates in a gala fundraiser for the gay community in New York City June 23, 2011. Reuters
A protester clenches a rainbow flag with her teeth at a demonstration outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Obama was attending a function in New York.
A protester clenches a rainbow flag with her teeth at a demonstration supporting same-sex marriages outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was attending a function in New York June 23, 2011. Reuters
Protesters take part in a demonstration outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was attending a function in New York
Protesters take part in a demonstration to support same-sex marriages outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was attending a function in New York June 23, 2011. Reuters
Protesters take part in a demonstration supporting same-sex marriages outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was attending a function in New York.
Protesters take part in a demonstration supporting same-sex marriages outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Barack Obama was attending a function in New York June 23, 2011. Reuters
Protesters take part in a demonstration supporting same-sex marriages outside Sheraton Hotel where U.S. President Obama was attending a function in New York.
President Barack Obama may be against same-sex marriage, but a group is trying to get the Democratic Party to officially support the issue in its platform at the 2012 national convention. Reuters
Barack obama New York Barack obama New York