Claire McCaskill Backs Gay Marriage

The latest top politician to endorse gay marriage is Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill, Politico reports. The swing-state Democrat offered up a statement yesterday on her Tumblr page: "I have come to the conclusion that our government should not limit the right to marry based on who you love," she wrote. "While churches should never be required to conduct marriages outside of their religious beliefs, neither should the government tell people who they have a right to marry."

McCaskill says her views have evolved, but that "as many of my gay and lesbian friends, colleagues, and staff embrace long term committed relationships, I find myself unable to look them in the eye without honestly confronting this uncomfortable inequality." She added: "Good people disagree with me. On the other hand, my children have a hard time understanding why this is even controversial. I think history will agree with my children." McCaskill's announcement comes as a pair of high-profile gay marriage cases head to the Supreme Court this week. (More Claire McCaskill stories.)