Obama courts LGBT vote on latest NYC fund-raising trip

President Barack Obama was back in the Big Apple Thursday for another round of fundraising, reaching out to the gay and lesbian community but dancing around endorsing gay marriage.

At the LGBT Gala at the Sheraton hotel, Obama said gay couples should have the same legal rights as straight couples.

"Nobody should have to produce a legal contract to hold the hands of those they love," he said. "We're going to keep fighting until the law no longer treats committed partners who've been together as strangers," he added, praising New York's debate to legalize gay marriage, saying that's what democracies are supposed to do.

On what was his third trip to the city in four months, Obama also held a $1,250-per-person fundraiser with some 600 activists in the community, followed up with by a $35,800-a-plate dinner at the posh restaurant Daniel.

Obama, 49, later headed to the Broadway Theatre to take in the Whoopi Goldberg musical "Sister Act," where guests paid up to $10,000 for a ticket and a picture with Obama.