The president, who during the 2008 campaign said he wouldn't promote same-sex marriage but did support civil unions, did not use the word "marriage" in his speech. His speech came amid some frustration that Obama, even given his efforts to rescind the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy prohibiting gays from serving openly, has not gone far or fast enough in backing gay rights.
In his speech, Obama acknowledged that the "change" he'd promised wouldn't be easy, nor would it always be quick.
"I did not run for president to do easy things," he said. "It was time for us to do hard things, the big things, even if it was going to take time."
About 600 people paid $1,250 apiece to attend the event. They included Jane Lynch of "Glee" and the night's master of ceremonies, Neil Patrick Harris of "How I Met Your Mother."
Before the event, the Republican National Committee jabbed at Harris' show, putting out an e-mail titled "Legen - Wait for it," which is a blog for updates on "How I Met Your Mother." The e-mail went on to say "Obama heads to the Big Apple for a round of celebrity-studded fundraisers while Americans are desperate for economic leadership from the president."
Obama also attended a $35,800 a plate fundraiser at Daniel, Chef Daniel Boulud's Upper East Side restaurant.
The third fundraiser for Obama was a performance of "Sister Act" at the Broadway Theater, for hundreds of guests, including actor Whoopi Goldberg. Tickets for the performance started at $100 per person.
Earlier Thursday, in a release ahead of the president's fundraisers, RNC spokesman Ryan Tronovitch said that "while President Obama tries to escape the pressures of his failed economic policies with a fundraiser in New York, millions remain out of work and are beginning to realize that the only job our president is concerned about is his own."
The Democratic National Committee was quick to respond.
