Freedom to Marry applauds removal of anti-gay amendments from National Defense Authorization Act

By Cameron Tolle
Dec 13, 2011 at 10:07 am

Yesterday, the announcement by the National Defense Authorization Act conference committee announced that proposed anti-gay amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act would be dropped. Evan Wolfson, our founder and President, released the following statement:
 
“Anti-gay attacks and infusion of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act have no place in legislation designed to support all the brave men and women who fight to defend this nation.  Gay and lesbian servicemembers risk their lives every day and Freedom to Marry is pleased that the conference committee agreed with us and voted to remove these discriminatory anti-gay provisions from the bill.”   
 
A House-adopted amendment sponsored by Rep. Todd Akin had sought to prohibit weddings from taking place on military installations and from allowing chaplains and other Defense employees to perform marriages for gay and lesbian couples even in states that have the freedom to marry. Another House-adopted amendment sponsored by Rep. Vicky Hartzler sought to reaffirm DOMA, which discriminates against marriages of same-sex couples by withholding federal recognition, benefits and protections. Both measures were dropped from the bill today.