Times have changed since then and even your own post say the in SOME STATES not all states, again times have chagedsince then so have Social issues, I am NOT defending what the President said, but simply pointingout eh differencs between Civil Unions and Marriage they are 2 completely differentthings in terms of Protection and Civil rights
At that time Intergration almost was Non Exsisten, over the years Social Issues have changed with the times when that happenend you never heard of Gay Marriages, Civil Unions as a matter of fact when that happened it was not even Socialy Acceptable for Girl Friends or Boys Friends to even live together even if they were the same color, Socialty did not accept it. nor did Sociaiety accept Bblack Living in White Neighborhoods or even using the same Restroom Facilities or eating inthe same Resutrants