Former President Clinton, who said back in 2009 that he had “changed his mind” about his opposition to gay marriage, has issued a statement in support of the effort to pass a bill that would let same-sex couples legally wed in New York.

“Our nation’s permanent mission is to form a ‘more perfect union’ – deepening the meaning of freedom, broadening the reach of opportunity, strengthening the bonds of community,” Clinton said.

“That mission has inspired and empowered us to extend rights to people previously denied them. Every time we have done that, it has strengthened our nation. Now we should do it again, in New York, with marriage equality.”

“For more than a century, our Statue of Liberty has welcomed all kinds of people from all over the world yearning to be free. In the 21st century, I believe New York’s welcome must include marriage equality.”

Clinton’s statement was released by the Human Rights Campaign, which is leading New Yorkers for Marriage Equality – the coordinated campaign spearheaded by Gov. Andrew Cuomo that is lobbying the Senate to pass the gay marriage bill before the legislative session ends in June.

The former president is now a NY (specifically, Westchester County) resident. His wife, as you’ll recall, supports civil unions for same-sex couples, but hasn’t been willing to go all the way to backing marriage – even after her husband got on board with that. President Obama also has yet to endorse same-sex marriage, although he seems to be inching ever closer to doing so.

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