DOMA Ruled Unconstitutional

In a giant step toward equality today, a federal appeals court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional.

The decision was clear: the law treats same-sex couples as second-class citizens – and that’s a violation of fundamental rights.

But despite losing over and over again in court, House Speaker John Boehner and Majority Leader Eric Cantor are still planning to fight for DOMA all the way to the Supreme Court, if need be – dumping millions of taxpayer dollars into defending discrimination.

DOMA hurts our families. But Boehner and Cantor won’t focus on repealing DOMA instead of continuing to defend it unless we rally right now – their decision to appeal today’s ruling could come any hour, so we don’t have much time to act.

Tell Boehner and Cantor: Not another taxpayer cent to attack the rights of loving same-sex couples.

President Obama ordered the Department of Justice to stop defending the DOMA case in court over a year ago. His leadership was critical to the progress we have made.

But Boehner and Cantor, reacting to the anti-LGBT fringe of their party, stepped in to use House resources – our taxpayer dollars – to make sure this terrible law was defended.

Even in a time when our federal budget is already strapped, they have committed up to $1.5 million taxpayer dollars to fight for this outdated law – and as this and other cases challenging DOMA continue, we could be looking at millions more.

The anti-gay House Republican leadership needs see the writing on the wall. Already a vast majority of Americans oppose DOMA and want it repealed. The House already has a bill before it – the Respect for Marriage Act – which would get rid of DOMA’s discrimination once and for all.

Discrimination shouldn’t be the law. It’s that simple. Tell Boehner and Cantor to repeal DOMA, not defend it.

This ruling marks a critical juncture in the battle for marriage equality. With enough voices speaking out, Boehner and Cantor will have no choice but to consider the cost of their continued defense of DOMA.

With continued pressure and hard work, we can make DOMA a thing of the past.

Proud, excited, and determined,

Allison Herwitt
Legislative Director
Human Rights Campaign

(Source: secure3.convio.net)

9 notes | 11 months ago