Do away with DOMA!
By Task Force staff, September 16, 4:12 pm
“The 'Respect for Marriage Act' marks a step toward closing an ugly chapter in our nation's history,” said Executive Director Rea Carey at this week's press conference announcing the introduction of a bill to repeal the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act.”
DOMA is a 1996 law requiring the federal government to single out legally married same-sex couples for discriminatory treatment under federal law, selectively denying those couples more than 1,100 federal protections and responsibilities that otherwise apply to married couples. U.S. Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) Jared Polis (D-Colo.), along with Reps. John Conyers (D-Mich.), John Lewis (D-Ga.), Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) and Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), introduced the DOMA repeal measure yesterday; Carey (pictured) was among the featured speakers at the press conference.
"DOMA is and has always been an immoral attack on same-sex couples, our families and our fundamental humanity. This hateful law has only served to discriminate against people and belittle our country's heralded values of freedom, fairness and justice. It is long past time to repeal DOMA, which has left a moral scar on this country. Today marks an important step toward closing an ugly chapter in our nation's history, and for working to ensure same-sex couples and our families are treated fairly. Too many families have been hurt for far too long because of DOMA,” she said.
Read the full press release here and Carey’s entire remarks from the press conference here.
The Task Force has been working for a DOMA repeal since the measure passed. We also continue to work hard on and contribute significantly to statewide campaigns to secure and protect the freedom to marry state by state, in places like Maine.
Want to help repeal DOMA? Tell your representatives to pass the “Respect for Marriage Act.” Take action here. It’s fast, easy and will help make a difference!
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