GLAD DOMA Stories: Federal Marriage Discrimination Hurts Families

March 16, 2010

As reported by GLAD(Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders):

"In its December 2009 letter to Jacquie, SSA explained that because of DOMA the federal government simply didn’t consider them married:

'Congress did not intend same-sex spouses or survivors to be eligible for Social Security benefits. Regardless of the Social Security Administration's position, the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 established the legal definition of marriage as only a legal union between one man and one woman.'

In other words, if Jacquie and Ellie had been a married opposite-sex couple who had been together for 21 years, who had raised kids and doted on grandkids, who had built and run a business together, and who had loved and supported each other through the very worst time of their lives—then Jacquie would have been recognized as a surviving spouse. SSA wouldn't have blinked.

Jacquie says she will appeal SSA’s decision. She says she’ll keep fighting—for justice and for Ellie.

'Ellie was the strongest person I ever met. She fought her cancer till the very last day. I owe it to her memory to continue fighting this.'”

Click to read the full story: [Link]