In 2012, following President Barack Obama's public endorsement of same-sex marriage, itself in the midst of shifting public opinion of same-sex marriage, Clyburn stated in an interview that he supported marriage equality as well. In the interview, Clyburn addressed his former disapproval of same-sex marriage of being rooted in his Christian faith, but that he had since "evolved". Clyburn called for nationwide legislation of marriage equality, opposing the President's state-by-state approach, stating "if you consider this to be a civil right—and I do—I don't think civil rights ought to be left up to a state-by-state approach".