The Hill News

The cover of Newsweek magazine this week proclaims President Obama "the first gay president."

The cover pictures Obama with a rainbow-colored halo over his head. The New Yorker's cover, likewise, is an image of the White House, with the iconic columns on its South portico arranged in the colors of the rainbow â€" a prominent symbol for gay rights.

The Newsweek cover goes a step further by adding the religious symbol of a halo above Obama's head.

Obama said this week that he is personally comfortable with same-sex marriage â€" the first time a sitting president has taken that position.

Newsweek's "first gay president" cover story is written by Andrew Sul! livan. a blogger at Newsweek and the Daily Beast, who is openly gay.

The moniker evokes Toni Morrison's description of Bill Clinton as "the first black president."