Gays decry Obama’s stand on marriage equality case
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 at 01:01 am
The Associated Press
June 12, 2009
Gay rights groups expressed dismay with the Obama administration Friday over its championing of the Defense of Marriage Act, a law the president pledged to try to repeal while on the campaign trail. The government filed a motion late Thursday to dismiss the case of Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer, who are challenging the 1996 federal act. The law prevents couples in states that recognize same-sex unions from securing Social Security spousal benefits, filing joint taxes and other federal rights of marriage. "The president made very explicit and emphatic campaign promises that he opposes DOMA and would provide leadership calling on Congress to repeal it," said Jennifer Pizer, marriage project director for Lambda Legal. "This brief is not consistent with that promise." [Link]
June 12, 2009
Gay rights groups expressed dismay with the Obama administration Friday over its championing of the Defense of Marriage Act, a law the president pledged to try to repeal while on the campaign trail. The government filed a motion late Thursday to dismiss the case of Arthur Smelt and Christopher Hammer, who are challenging the 1996 federal act. The law prevents couples in states that recognize same-sex unions from securing Social Security spousal benefits, filing joint taxes and other federal rights of marriage. "The president made very explicit and emphatic campaign promises that he opposes DOMA and would provide leadership calling on Congress to repeal it," said Jennifer Pizer, marriage project director for Lambda Legal. "This brief is not consistent with that promise." [Link]
The Choice to Defend DOMA, and Its Consequences
Posted on Jun 15, 2009 at 12:35 am
America Blog
June 14, 2009
Richard Socarides, a former Hill staffer and top aide to President Clinton, weighs in on whether or not President Obama's Department of Justice had a choice to file a brief supporting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
June 14, 2009
Richard Socarides, a former Hill staffer and top aide to President Clinton, weighs in on whether or not President Obama's Department of Justice had a choice to file a brief supporting the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA):
From my experience, in a case where, as here, there are important political and social issues at stake, the president’s relationship with the Justice Department should work like this: The president makes a policy decision first and then the very talented DOJ lawyers figure out how to apply it to actual cases. If the lawyers cannot figure out how to defend a statute and stay consistent with the president’s policy decision, the policy decision should always win out.[Link]
Obama’s Law Professor Says DOMA Unconstitutional
Posted on Jun 08, 2009 at 02:00 pm
The Huffington Post
June 5, 2009
A campaign is underway to encourage the Department of Justice to refuse to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in the legal challenge launched by the Massachusetts based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. Laurence Tribe, the Harvard Constitutional law professor who hired Obama as a research assistant in his first year of law school, supports the claim that DOMA Section 3 is unconstitutional. Professor Tribe told Paul Sousa, founder of Equal Rep: "I certainly agree that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, at least as applied to couples like those who are currently challenging it in federal court here in Massachusetts." [Link]
June 5, 2009
A campaign is underway to encourage the Department of Justice to refuse to defend the Defense of Marriage Act in the legal challenge launched by the Massachusetts based Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders. Laurence Tribe, the Harvard Constitutional law professor who hired Obama as a research assistant in his first year of law school, supports the claim that DOMA Section 3 is unconstitutional. Professor Tribe told Paul Sousa, founder of Equal Rep: "I certainly agree that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional, at least as applied to couples like those who are currently challenging it in federal court here in Massachusetts." [Link]
Obama ushers in Gay Pride Month
Posted on Jun 02, 2009 at 10:49 am
Associated Press
June 2, 2009
President Obama yesterday issued a proclamation for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
In the proclamation, Obama mentions the legislative priorities, including overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman and allows states to discriminate against gay couples who get married in other states, and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bars gays from serving openly in the military.
"I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans," Obama says in the proclamation. (Link)
June 2, 2009
President Obama yesterday issued a proclamation for "Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month."
In the proclamation, Obama mentions the legislative priorities, including overturning the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman and allows states to discriminate against gay couples who get married in other states, and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which bars gays from serving openly in the military.
"I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans," Obama says in the proclamation. (Link)
White House Affirms Support for DOMA Repeal
Posted on May 22, 2009 at 10:40 am
Washington Blade
May 21, 2009
The White House on Wednesday issued a statement reiterating President Obama's support for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. "DOMA is a federal law passed by Congress that precludes uniform federal recognition of same-sex relationships, even those recognized as valid under the law of the state," the statement says. "Because the President believes that this is an issue that should be left to the states, he continues to support the legislative repeal of DOMA." [link]
May 21, 2009
The White House on Wednesday issued a statement reiterating President Obama's support for repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act. "DOMA is a federal law passed by Congress that precludes uniform federal recognition of same-sex relationships, even those recognized as valid under the law of the state," the statement says. "Because the President believes that this is an issue that should be left to the states, he continues to support the legislative repeal of DOMA." [link]
The Battle Over Benefits for Same-Sex Spouses
Posted on May 21, 2009 at 10:14 am
Wall Street Journal
May 21, 2009
Gay and lesbian couples wed in Massachusetts are challenging the law that keeps them from getting federal marital benefits. Plaintiffs say DOMA means they pay higher taxes because they can't file a joint return, and they can't collect spousal Social Security benefits, among other restrictions. Their lawsuit argues that the government discriminates against their marriages and infringes on their constitutional right to equal protection under the Fifth Amendment. [Link]
May 21, 2009
Gay and lesbian couples wed in Massachusetts are challenging the law that keeps them from getting federal marital benefits. Plaintiffs say DOMA means they pay higher taxes because they can't file a joint return, and they can't collect spousal Social Security benefits, among other restrictions. Their lawsuit argues that the government discriminates against their marriages and infringes on their constitutional right to equal protection under the Fifth Amendment. [Link]
BLOG: Obama, Don’t Defend DOMA
Posted on May 20, 2009 at 11:19 am
Huffington Post
May 20, 2009
Emma Ruby-Sachs on the Obama administration and DOMA: "Obama has the option, as has every President before him, to refuse to defend clearly unconstitutional laws. He has the opportunity today, to stand up for equal rights by refusing to argue DOMA's constitutionality in court." [Link]
May 20, 2009
Emma Ruby-Sachs on the Obama administration and DOMA: "Obama has the option, as has every President before him, to refuse to defend clearly unconstitutional laws. He has the opportunity today, to stand up for equal rights by refusing to argue DOMA's constitutionality in court." [Link]
Mass. gays, supporters launch card campaign urging Obama to repeal so-called Defense of Marriage Act
Posted on May 20, 2009 at 10:49 am
Associated Press
May 19, 2009
Mass. supporters of marriage equality are launching a new campaign to urge President Obama to seek the repeal of the misnamed "DOMA". The campaign coincides with a lawsuit brought by the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders against the section of DOMA prohibiting federal recognition of marriages of same-sex couples. [Link]
May 19, 2009
Mass. supporters of marriage equality are launching a new campaign to urge President Obama to seek the repeal of the misnamed "DOMA". The campaign coincides with a lawsuit brought by the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders against the section of DOMA prohibiting federal recognition of marriages of same-sex couples. [Link]
White House Press Sec Gibbs punts at the podium on DOMA question by Advocate reporter
Posted on May 19, 2009 at 08:26 am
Pam's House Blend
May 18, 2009
Kerry Eleveld of The Advocate finally got a crack at White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at the daily press briefing and asked if the President was working to ensure federal recognition for gay couples who marry. Gibbs response: "I...I will have to go check on that. I honestly don't know the answer to that." (Link)
May 18, 2009
Kerry Eleveld of The Advocate finally got a crack at White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs at the daily press briefing and asked if the President was working to ensure federal recognition for gay couples who marry. Gibbs response: "I...I will have to go check on that. I honestly don't know the answer to that." (Link)
Marriage Equality an Important Issue in Court Pick
Posted on May 17, 2009 at 08:48 pm
Washington Post
May 17, 2009
As President Obama prepares to name his first Supreme Court justice, conservatives in Washington are making clear that his nominee will face plenty of questions during the confirmation process on the legal underpinnings of marriage equality for gay couples. [link]
May 17, 2009
As President Obama prepares to name his first Supreme Court justice, conservatives in Washington are making clear that his nominee will face plenty of questions during the confirmation process on the legal underpinnings of marriage equality for gay couples. [link]