Hillary Clinton declares her support for gay marriage

WASHINGTON - Former US secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who may be eyeing a run in the 2016 presidential election, on Monday came off the sidelines and announced her support for gay marriage.

While Mrs Clinton pushed gay, lesbian and transgender (LGBT) rights during her four-year tenure as America's top diplomat, considering them human rights, she had not until now advocated for gay marriage.

"LGBT Americans are our colleagues, our teachers, our soldiers, our friends, our loved ones. And they are full and equal citizens, and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage", she says in a nearly six-minute video.

"That's why I support marriage for lesbian and gay couples. I support it personally and as a matter of policy and law, embedded in a broader effort to advance equality and opportunity for LGBT Americans and all Americans."