For Ethan Frey, a Regional Field Director in Columbus, President Obama’s support of marriage equality crystallized something that he’s known since 2008: that President Obama is committed to moving this country forward.
As a college student, Ethan was drawn to President Obama’s personal story and his policies, both of which demonstrated that he genuinely cared about everyday folks.
“I have always considered him to be a really compassionate individual. He can put himself in your shoes. That’s what got me involved in 2008. I showed up at a local field office and was empowered with a clipboard and the skills I needed to organize my campus. I believed in the cause enough to put college on hold and organized full time in Toledo, Ohio. I became a leader in my community in 2008. And that experience made me who I am today, and made me feel comfortable and confident enough in myself to come out as a gay man to my friends and family after the election.”
Ethan knew he was electing a President that would have his back:
“He repealed DADT and passed hate crimes legislation. I knew I was fighting for that in 2008. I knew that if we elected Barack Obama he would consider every side, figure out if it was the right thing to do, and do it. I knew that I had elected a guy who was going to work for my community.”
And that’s exactly what President Obama did by voicing his support for marriage equality.
“It demonstrates that President Obama is not always focused on political expediency but he’s focused on the citizens of this country and doing what’s right for everybody, and I’ll continue to work for him. He’s going to continue moving this country forward for the next four years, and I’m more excited than ever to help him do it.”