Education Secretary Embraces Same-Sex Marriage Education Secretary Arne Duncan on Monday became the third member of the Obama administration to publicly embrace same-sex marriage, a day after the vice president said that he was "absolutely comfortable" with such unions. The forceful backing of same-sex marriage from members of the president's cabinet is unusual because it has moved beyond Mr. Obama's stated position: while he has said that his views are evolving, he has limited his support to civil unions. At the beginning of an interview on MSNBC's "Morning Joe," Mr. Duncan was asked if he believed gay men and lesbians should be allowed to marry. "Yes, I do," he replied. Mr. Duncan said that he had never been asked publicly before about the topic. Mr. Duncan joins Mr. Biden and Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan in supporting same-sex marriage to varying degrees. Their stance, and its public nature, is likely to put pressure on Mr. Obama to clarify his thinking on the subject, especially before the presidential election this fall. "Duncan speaking out is particularly important given his role as the nation's top education official," said Joe Solmonese, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, a gay advocacy group. There's no doubt in my mind that the president shares these values and that's why it's time for him to speak out in favor of marriage equality as well. It is unclear if the sudden expressions of support for same-sex marriage has been in any way coordinated by the White House, or if the president has told aides that they are free to weigh in on the subject. But from the comments of those on the set of "Morning Joe," it appeared the question - and the answer - came as something of a surprise.