President Barack Obama's personal endorsement of same-sex marriage has generated both support and opposition in the Tampa Bay region.
The Metropolitan Community Church, based in Sarasota, has reached out to the gay community for decades. Church moderator Nancy Wilson says she's thrilled with President Obama's definitive stand on same-sex marriage.
"It's a great time of hope for our community and for all people," she said, "and even with the defeats in North Carolina, the things that are discouraging, on the other hand there are these wonderful moments when you really know that progress is happening."
But Hillsborough County Republican Party chairman Art Wood says President Obama is only trying to distract people from more important issues, such as the economy.
"It just bothers me as an individual and I hope it bothers people as citizens too, how much this president has used class warfare campaign strategies in his reelection campaign," Wood said.
President Obama's support of same-sex marriage followed similar statements by Vice President Joe Biden on Sunday.
