Hillary Clinton backs same-sex marriage

Making a switch from her former stance, Hillary Clinton sofficially supported same-sex marriage for the first time Monday.

Now that she has left public office, the former secretary of state explained shebelieved "personally and as a matter of policy and law" that gay and lesbian couples should be able to marry,in a video posted by Human Rights Campaign.

"They are full and equal citizens and deserve the rights of citizenship. That includes marriage," said Clinton, a former senator from New York.

The position is a switch from 2008, when as a candidate for president she opposed same-sex marriage. But she credited her change in support to the people in her life, her time as the country's top diplomat, her faith, and her "devotion to law and human rights."

"Like so many others" -- such as President Barack Obama and her husband, Bill Clinton -- "my personal views have been shaped over time."

While she's been mum on a possible run for the White House in 2016, recent polls have Clinton as an early favorite in the race.