Gay rights campaigners hope to collect 100,000 signatures for a card thanking US President Barack Obama for supporting gay marriage.

More than 50,000 people from around the world have already signed the card, which LGBT rights group AllOut.org will deliver to the White House in Washington DC tomorrow (11 May).

The campaign comes after Obama yesterday (9 May) became the first sitting US president in history to publicly support gay marriage.

'This is an incredible, historic moment with huge implications globally and in the US,’ said Andre Banks, executive director of AllOut.org

‘As many countries around the world continue to ban same-sex marriage and 76 nations criminalize people because of who they love, President Obama has just stood up to boldly say that all love is equal.

‘This story is going to be told around the world and President Obama - and journalists on every continent – must know that millions are on his side.’

The President has received praise from the international community for his historic decision, but there remains ongoing opposition from religious leaders and conservative political groups both in the US and abroad.

Banks added that Obama has set an example for other world leaders to follow.

He said: ‘This time, Barack Obama put aside politics and was brave enough to stand up for what's right. We can show other leaders that they too can take a stand

‘This is not just about marriage. It's about the universal power of love to change hearts and minds.’