President Barack Obama cemented his legacy on civil rights for the LGBT community tonight by declaring marriage equality a civil right.

In his 2015 State of the Union address before a Republican-controlled House and Senate, President Barack Obama told Congress he believes marriage equality for same-sex couples is a civil right.

“I still believe that we are one people,” the President said. “Iâ€™ve seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in states that seven in ten Americans call home.”

Vice President Biden and Democrats stood and applauded:

Pres. Obama also mentioned the LGBT community in other contexts, saying “we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims â€“ the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace.Â Thatâ€™s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.Â We do these things not only because theyâ€™re right, but because they make us safer.”

And he included the community in a look towards the future.

“I want our actions to tell every child, in every neighborhood: your life matters, and we are as committed to improving your life chances as we are for our own kids.

“I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift, that we are a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen â€“ man and woman, young and old, black and white, Latino and Asian, immigrant and Native American, gay and straight, Americans with mental illness or physical disability.Â

“I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true:Â that we are still more than a collection of red states and blue states; that we are the United States of America.”

“Iâ€™ve seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom.” â€”President Obama #SOTU â€” Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 21, 2015

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