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]
Iowa Sen. Harkin Changes Views on Marriage for Gay Couples
Posted on May 11, 2009 at 10:31 am
Washington Blade
May 11, 2009
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin says he's changed his views on gay marriage and would oppose any effort to overturn an Iowa Supreme Court decision last month that legalized same-sex unions.
Harkin acknowledges his views on the subject have changed since he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998. That measure defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
[link]
May 11, 2009
U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin says he's changed his views on gay marriage and would oppose any effort to overturn an Iowa Supreme Court decision last month that legalized same-sex unions.
Harkin acknowledges his views on the subject have changed since he voted for the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998. That measure defined marriage as between one man and one woman.
[link]
Eugene Robinson: Is Obama MIA on Marriage Equality?
Posted on May 08, 2009 at 10:55 am
Washington Post Op-Ed
May 8, 2009
"Before his inauguration, President Obama called himself a "fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans." Now, with the issue of same-sex marriage percolating in state after state and with the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy ripe for repeal, it's time for Obama to put some of his political capital where his rhetoric is." [link]
May 8, 2009
"Before his inauguration, President Obama called himself a "fierce advocate of equality for gay and lesbian Americans." Now, with the issue of same-sex marriage percolating in state after state and with the Pentagon's "don't ask, don't tell" policy ripe for repeal, it's time for Obama to put some of his political capital where his rhetoric is." [link]
A strange dual citizenship for gay couples
Posted on Apr 17, 2009 at 05:07 pm
The Boston Globe
April 17, 2009
The so-called Defense of Marriage Act passed in the panic of 1996 when it looked as if Hawaii would become the first state with gay marriage. The purpose was as obvious and discriminatory as Representative Henry Hyde's declaration that DOMA was to express "disapprobation" for homosexuality.... Much has changed since 1996. Even former representative Bob Barr, who wrote DOMA, now disavows it. So what do you say about an out-of-date law that enforces an identity crisis? What do you say about a law that "defends" marriage by denying it? The winds are blowing, but in a very different direction. [Link]
April 17, 2009
The so-called Defense of Marriage Act passed in the panic of 1996 when it looked as if Hawaii would become the first state with gay marriage. The purpose was as obvious and discriminatory as Representative Henry Hyde's declaration that DOMA was to express "disapprobation" for homosexuality.... Much has changed since 1996. Even former representative Bob Barr, who wrote DOMA, now disavows it. So what do you say about an out-of-date law that enforces an identity crisis? What do you say about a law that "defends" marriage by denying it? The winds are blowing, but in a very different direction. [Link]
Congressional Leaders Mull Partial DOMA Repeal
Posted on Apr 15, 2009 at 09:48 am
Advocate
April 14, 2009
Discussions around repealing a portion of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex couples' marriages have heated up in the wake of recent legal challenges filed and the addition of two new states legalizing same-sex marriages. [Link]
April 14, 2009
Discussions around repealing a portion of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act that prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex couples' marriages have heated up in the wake of recent legal challenges filed and the addition of two new states legalizing same-sex marriages. [Link]