Mass. group lauds Obama for gay marriage stance

BOSTON (AP) -- The group MassEquality is applauding President Barack Obama's declaration that he supports gay marriage.

After refusing to take a clear stand for months, he made the announcement in an interview with ABC News at the White House on Wednesday.

Polling suggests the nation is evenly divided on the issue

MassEquality Executive Director Kara Suffredini says Obama's evolution on the issue is not unlike the experience of Americans who have come to understand why marriage is important to same-sex couples and their children.

Gay couple began marrying in Massachusetts in 2004, after it became the first state to legalize gay marriage.