US President Barak Obama has finally completed evolving his feelings and came out for gay marriage. It's a brave decision for an incumbent President but one that reflects the sincerity of his viewpoint. It may also have been encouraged by his need to declare his stance in the aftermath of Vice-President Joe Biden's positive announcement.

In London, David Cameron was urged to “be brave” and pass new laws for gay marriage after Obama ended months of fence-sitting by saying: “I think same-sex couples should be able to marry." The Prime Minister has encountered strong opposition from some Tory MPs over his pledge of legislation to give gay people the same rights to marry as heterosexual couple.

The issue was absent from this week's Queen’s Speech, leading some commentators to suggest the Coalition may be backing down, an accusation strongly denied by No 10. MP Margot James, the openly gay Tory vice-chairwoman, said: “I am delighted Obama has made a stand. It will be very good for the cause of equality that gay people in the US now have the President’s support.”

In a recent interview, Cameron stressed his determination to legislate for same-sex marriage, saying: “I ask myself the question, why is it that we deny gay couples the ability to get married, and I don’t think that’s right.”  No 10 sources say that remains his position.

Campaigner Peter Tatchell said: “Taking the worst view, Cameron is running scared of a Tory backbench revolt. Taking the most optimistic view, the Government may have decided it would be too tight to complete the legislation during this parliamentary session.

Lustralboy says: "Don't back away now David. The gay community would never forgive you and that's byebye to a few million potential votes.