Obama: Defense Of Marriage Act Should Be Repealed

President Barack Obama is throwing his support behind a bill that would repeal the federal government's ban on same-sex marriage.

The president has "long called for a legislative appeal for the so-called Defense of Marriage Act which continues to have a real impact on families," White House spokesman Jay Carney announced Tuesday.

The president is “proud to support” the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, Carney said.

The Obama administration announced in February that it believes the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and would no longer defend it in court.

At the time, Carney said that Obama was still "grappling" with his personal view of gay marriage but has always personally opposed the Defense of Marriage Act as "unnecessary and unfair."

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) is one of the lead sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act. On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee is holing a hearing on the new bill, with testimony from same-sex couples.

"I think eyes have opened. More and more people across this land know people who are gay, who want to have a lasting relationship, who look at marriage as an economic agreement as well as an emotional agreement," said Feinstein, one of 14 senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act.

The hearing will give lawmakers the chance to hear firsthand from married, same-sex couples who are ineligible for the many federal benefits that accrue to married, heterosexual couples. For example, gay couples who get married in New York, Iowa or any other state that recognizes same-sex marriage cannot file joint federal income taxes and claim certain deductions. Nor can they receive spousal benefits under Social Security or take unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons.

Feinstein's legislation has 27 co-sponsors, but not a single Republican. With the GOP in control of the House, she understands the political realities of repealing the bill anytime soon.

"If we don't succeed this session, we will try again next session," she said. "Believe me, we will continue this effort until the battle is won."

Feinstein spoke at the National Press Club on Tuesday along with three same-sex couples. The couples spoke about the disadvantages they experience because of the Defense of Marriage Act. For example, Beth Coderre and Beth Vorro of Rhode Island have to purchase individual health insurance instead of as a family, costing them thousands of dollars extra each year.

""I think, as Rosa Parks might say, it's time to get up from the back of the bus and assume our seats among the rest of our fellow human beings," Coderre said.

Comments

[aviandonn]

12:17 AM on 08/07/2011

Stop Mr. President. Repeat after me: Jobs Jobs Jobs. Focus on it like a laser. You can't afford not to. Any hope you have of reelection depends on it. The Republicans will drag you into a debate about this, tie you in knots and use it to hammer you about not being focused on the economy. Stop being stupid. Stop just handing the republicans the agenda.

[talkstocoyotes]

12:55 PM on 08/12/2011

We can rightfully expect our Presidents to be able to deal with more than one issue at a time. If Obama could spend so much attention on manufactured hysteria over the deficit (which, magically, was of no concern during the GW Bush regime, he can bloody well pay some attention to civil rights.

[chibikawaiistarr]

11:29 PM on 08/06/2011

YAY!!!

[Sandy Sullivan]

11:11 AM on 07/25/2011

OBHMA IS ONLY TRYING TO SUPPORT SAME SEX MARRIAGES ONLY HOPING TO GET MORE VOTES I THE UP COMMING ELECTION....SUCH A JERK....MARRIAGE IS A UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMEN....GOD GAVE US AN INNIE AND AN OUTIE....THINK ABOUT IT ......MAKES ME SICK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bob Kellerman]

01:50 AM on 07/27/2011

NOTHING was needed to make YOU sick

Too bad you did not have parents who taught you mind your own business -- you could be getting sick a lot from looking over fences and judging

[Sandy Sullivan]

07:05 PM on 07/27/2011

I WAS TAUGHT RIGHT FROM WRONG....WONDERFUL PARENTS.....LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND ASK YOUR SELF..."DO I KNOW RIGHT FROM WRONG"? CAN'T SAY THAT YOU DO...WHEN COMPARING RIGHT FROM WRONG ...EVEN MOST IDIOTS KNOW THE DIFFERENCE...KNOWING RIGHT FROM WRONG IS NOT LOOKING OVER FENCES OR JUDGING..IT IS SIMPLY FACT...THINK ABOUT IT BOB!!!!!!!!

[TXanimal]

04:27 PM on 07/27/2011

If it makes you sick, then don't think about it.

Why do anti-gay folk always make marriage about sex anyway?

[Sandy Sullivan]

06:48 PM on 07/27/2011

ITS HARD TO DO WHEN IT IS ALWAYS "IN YOUR" FACE......

[Sandy Sullivan]

07:11 PM on 07/27/2011

I TRY NOT TO TXanimal...BUT ITS ALWAYS "IN MY FACE".....THE SO CALLED PRESIDENT WE HAVE HAS MORE PRESSING ISSUES HE COULD BE ADDRESSING IN STEAD OF SAME SEX MARRIAGES...

[davidblanket]

11:05 PM on 07/22/2011

The Constitution overrides the Bible ... "within the framework of the Constitution".

I will defend the Bible ... although I believe that today's interpretations are far from the Truth. Ezekiel 13 applies. Prophesy (teach) against the false prophets (many pastors today), who prophesy out of their own imagination.
2 minutes of scripture ... followed by 28 minutes of butchering.

Christ endured a life, in this Age, because of Love ... for All of US.
Ironic how not a single 1 of "the 12" was connected with the church.
Paul was ... he held the coats of those that killed Stephen ... Acts 8:1.
No one is beyond the Mercy, Love, Patience, Reach, of our Father.

Homosexuality is NOT the unforgivable sin.
Worshiping the "antichrist" is.
No mortal's sin has already been judged.
The antichrist has not appeared. The witnesses have not been seen.
Christians tend to see themselves as better than others. Perhaps b/c they believe they know right from wrong, though the practice sometimes escapes US.
No sin is worse than another. To break 1 is to break them all.
To break 1 ... means to break the 1st. No God before Me.
The only way we sin, is to place ourselves before God.
Become ... our own god.

I don't have to support the lifestyle to defend those that to live it.
I would sacrifice my life, as I know it, to plant a seed :)

Judge as you would be Judged.
I suggest Mercy.

[Sandy Sullivan]

07:13 PM on 07/27/2011

IF I REMEMBER IT CORRECTLY...THE CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN BY MEN WHO WERE MARRIED TO WOMEN...THEY WOULD TURN OVER IN THEIR GRAVES IF THEY KNEW HOW OTHERS ARE USING THE CONSTITUTION..TO HIDE BEHIND..AND THINK ANYTHING GOES..THAT WAS NOT OUR FOREFATHERS INTENTIONS...THIS COUNTRY HAS GONE TO H--- IN A HAND BASKET.....BECAUSE OF THOSE WHO PLACE THERE OWN MEANING AND TRY TO MAKE OUR CONSTITUTION SOMETHING ITS NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[davidblanket]

11:05 PM on 07/27/2011

I am not really here for this, however, I guess that you would like a reply?

If you vote, there is a place to start. Although our representatives are Aristocrats, they are still elected into that Class.
Then you might contact your own personal Aristocrats, and tell them how you feel.
Congress became Aristocrats when they made separate laws, and programs, for themselves. That is when they abandoned the Constitution, and the American People.
They no longer represent US, they are all about reelection, and their Party. If they did not need our votes, they would abandon US all together.

[talkstocoyotes]

03:58 PM on 08/13/2011

[wyldthings]

03:08 PM on 07/22/2011

When the President does the proper thing and say's I will support Marriage between two consenting adults then I'll give him credit. But as long as he's evolving I don't really believe he supports gay Marriage. Unions yes but Marriage no

[antfern]

05:37 PM on 07/21/2011

Heres my take in Feds allowing the same sex marriage:
1. It is unfair for the straight people because it is a special right.
2. The government will reduce its revenue because of exemptions and will increase its burden because of increase in social problems brought by the diseases, i.e. AIDS. and other future problems as a result of normalizing same sex.
3. The government will be promoting homosexuality which will erode our society by furthering the domestic issues. It is the same thing as legalizing drugs and alcohol.
Let the marriage stay as it is and we should not give special treatment for people who are not really lesser in treatment just like any other ordinary citizens.

[mercury613]

08:17 PM on 07/21/2011

"1. It is unfair for the straight people because it is a special right."

Please explain how. And if you're going to use the "everyone has the right to marry someone of the same sex" nonsense, save it. That's called the Equal Application theory, and it was used by racists to claim that laws against interracial marriage were not discriminatory.

"2. The government will reduce its revenue because of exemptions and will increase its burden because of increase in social problems brought by the diseases, i.e. AIDS. and other future problems as a result of normalizin­g same sex."

Then get rid of marriage altogether; that would be of greatest benefit to the government's bottom line. Which social problems? You're aware that AIDS among lesbians is virtually non-existent, aren't you? Please give details about these "future problems".

"3. The government will be promoting homosexual­ity which will erode our society by furthering the domestic issues."

How so? Which domestic issues? Please explain in detail, using concrete examples and citing evidence.

[ez duz it]

09:11 PM on 07/21/2011

Hi, mercury613--

Great retort! The h8ers are desperately clutching at straws. One-by-one they're losing their arguments and running out of excuses as well as supporters. I'm glad for it.

If I could fan you again, I would. "Fave" will have to do...

--ez

[Franco Jason Di Palma]

11:51 PM on 08/06/2011

Any credible argument you may have had (and I am not saying you had one) was completely blown out of the water when you wrote down reason number two. That is just insane.

[ceeenbee]

07:49 AM on 07/22/2011

1.) "Special right"?. Could you please explain how what we are asking could possibly be a "special" right? How could you possibly think that giving someone the same right to marry the person they love, just like you have, is "special. On top of that, when you think about it, it actually expands your rights. You will now have the freedom to "go gay" yourself.

2.) Your second point fails the logic test on so many levels. What you are saying is that as a heterosexual you enjoy your "special rights" to tax exemptions, but feel that others are not entitled to the same. So who is t asking for" special rights"......YOU! AIDS? Letting gays marry will increase AIDS? that defies explanation but, please do try and explain that twisted logic. "other future problems as result of normalizing same sex"? Examples, please. (BTW, homosexuality is already normal. It has been scientifically observed and documented in over 1000 species studied)

3.) FYI, legislating morality does not work. How did that "Prohibition" work out Shen they tried. Oh yes, I remember, people drank anyway and Organized Crime was born. Oh well.

[Rory Canfield]

01:57 PM on 07/21/2011

Remember Jesse Dirkhising

[Rory Canfield]

01:42 PM on 07/21/2011

Why is it that those who support gay marriage spout off the when 2 people who love each other should be able to express themselves don't include those who practice adult incest (which is legal in many different forms and countries) or polygamists (again legal in other countries) and those within the gay community who beleive we need to tear down the walls of intergeneration relationships and be more open with children. Funny how those never come up in public but people like Michael Swift express it vocally.

[sfurr]

03:05 PM on 07/21/2011

What are you trying to suggest?

At first it sounds like you are trying to call out gay rights advocates for hypocrisy because they don't support polygamy or incest. I am not sure why this amounts to hypocrisy, many can point to characteristics that make the situations ethically distinguishable.

Then you appear to level a charge of hypocrisy on the basis that they don't openly support pedophilia, while suggesting perhaps that they privately do. There is a tinge of equivocation here too. Are you trying to conflate pedophilia and homosexuality? That can't be supported.

Can you make up your mind -- which is it hypocrisy or are you trying to level unsubstantiated claims of a vast conspiracy to hide a nefarious gay agenda? I have to guess that it is the latter based on the Michael Swift reference. Doesn't this strike you as being all too close to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion in nature? Clearly, either a hoax or a satirical work to poke fun at bigotry and conspiracy theories.

[Rory Canfield]

03:31 PM on 07/21/2011

If we are going to be fair, then it applies across ALL areas. The only reason it isn't brought forth by the gay rights community is they won't say it in public because they know the public support would fall flat on its face for them.

[ez duz it]

04:22 PM on 07/21/2011

Rory Canfield—

You’re simply attempting to denigrate Gay people by erroneously trying to link us with those who practice bestiality, incest and pedophilia. No surprise!

Marriage equality presumes compliance with the age, consanguinity and species requirements by two adults entering into a civil marriage contract, irrespective of their genders. This understanding happily relieves us of the burden of addressing the bizarre and defamatory types of unions you’re suggesting.

By being able to enter a civil marriage contract with all the responsibilities required of, as well as the rights and privileges conferred by, law - thankfully­ we all will have been saved from the befuddlements of your implied…and tedious “slippery slope.”

--ez

[PRR Fan]

01:28 PM on 07/21/2011

Please, please let the Dems actually put this to a vote, it'll be just one more nail in their political coffin. Gay marriage has never succeeded in a popular referendum and is about as good an issue as gun control for the Dems.

[Rory Canfield]

01:55 PM on 07/21/2011

Never happen, Dems know not everyone has fallen for the lies.

[TXanimal]

04:50 PM on 07/21/2011

Lies from whom?

[bluntobject]

03:17 AM on 07/24/2011

It doesn't and shouldn't have to succeed in a "referendum". The one thing you homophobes never will understand is that WE DON'T NEED YOUR BLESSING! We will have our much deserved Civil Rights and they are never up for a vote from the bigoted masses. So yeah Mister 8 year old, you sure must have thought this one through. lol.

[talkstocoyotes]

01:15 PM on 08/12/2011

No, it shouldn't have to succeed via being put to a vote; voting on civil rights is totally unconstitutional (the *US* Constitution, which trumps any nonsense in state constitutions).

However, the percentage of US citizens supporting marriage equality is increasing and sooner or later some state will have a referendum and it won't turn out the way the civil rights opponents want. I expect their reactions will have some entertainment value.

[GlennInVenice]

01:15 PM on 07/21/2011

Put equal rights aside for just a moment. I want government policy that stops insulting and punishing me and forcing me to be dishonest in government transactions.

What do I mean?

I am in a committed 13 year relationship yet every time I fill out my federal tax forms or a passport application the only choice I have is "Single". It is both insulting and untrue and I am boxed into this position by the codified discrimination called DOMA.

Punishing?

Well California recognizes gay marriage (yes, even after Prop 8 they recognize all gay marriages but do not offer new licenses within the state at the moment) but the federal government does not. This means that I get to prepare a federal tax return for myself and my partner, checking "single" and then I get to prepare a third federal return where I check "married" which is used as the basis for my CA taxes. I mail one version of the federal return to the Fed and a different version of the federal return to the state. This procedure is forced on me by a federal government who does not recognize me as a married man.

I AM SICK OF IT. SICK SICK SICK OF IT. SEAT ME AT THE TABLE WITH THE REST OF THE NATION OR STOP TAXING ME.

[Rory Canfield]

01:43 PM on 07/21/2011

Stop taxing me to promote the lifestyles I disagree with. See I can do it too.

[GlennInVenice]

02:29 PM on 07/21/2011

Only my comment made sense.

Does your idea of good government include using it to reward specific groups of citizens and censure other groups of citizens based on your personal determination of what is an acceptable "lifestyle"? That is religion at its worst and is only considered government in theocracies and totalitarian systems of government. You might have enjoyed what we sometimes call the dark ages.

And by the way, while you know my sexual orientation you have no friggin idea what lifestyle is.

[mercury613]

02:47 PM on 07/21/2011

While your at it, then, we can end tax exemption for churches -- that's a lifestyle I find morally repugnant.

[Atwill]

08:40 AM on 07/21/2011

Cracks me up when peopel say "gay is an unnaturla act. it goes against God." Here is a list of a few things that are unnatural and so perhaps we should ban people who do these things from getting married. Smoking. drinking. Drugs. Flying (If God wantd us to fly he would have given us wings.) Scubba diving / traveling in a submarine (If God wanted us to travel under water, he would have given us gills.).

[davidblanket]

08:52 AM on 07/21/2011

Some DO claim that we evolved from fish ... just saying :)

Have not heard of a bird theory ... yet.

Have a good day.

[Thodster]

11:23 AM on 07/21/2011

Hello, flying fish!

[mercury613]

11:05 AM on 07/21/2011

How about:

Contact lenses
Fake nails
Fake eyelashes
Makeup
Organ transplants
Artificial organs
Any kind of medication
etc.

[DCMetroGuy]

12:50 PM on 07/21/2011

You forgot ... there are no Churches in Nature..... not one.

[William D Simpson]

08:14 AM on 07/21/2011

The American people had better wake up! We are fastly becomming a nation of people ruled by socialists. Barack Obama is their bold, charismatic and unashamed leader.

http://wsimpson.wordpress.com/2011/07/20/dianne-feinstein-the-persona-of-washington-dcs-amoral-leadership/

[TBJ]

09:33 AM on 07/21/2011

Translation: "Fear, fear fear. Fear-fear fear, fear."

[ez duz it]

04:31 PM on 07/21/2011

It's kinda funny and sad - all at the same time - watching them implode at the thought of marriage equality. Not only that but the idea of a Black President just sends 'em over the edge.

[bearchao]

10:57 AM on 07/21/2011

Spam

[Bob Kellerman]

04:19 AM on 07/21/2011

Has EVERYONE reading this

CALLED YOUR CONGRESSPERSON AND SENATORS EVERY WEEK

And insisted that this travesty end?

If not, you spit on the people in uniform who will now marry their partners and not have the benefits of straight servicepeople --- including the right of the partner to make medical and funeral decisions, let alone housing, right to go along on transfers, etc

So if you are one who thinks DOMA is correct, think again!

EVERYONE should want this gone --- the right-wingers are bringing pressure to keep it, and they will win if we are silent

[Atwill]

06:34 AM on 07/21/2011

I agree. We need to loudly protest this. DOMA must die. Now

[ez duz it]

05:57 PM on 07/21/2011

I'm with you Bob. A good place to start is the US Government's "Contact Elected Officials" site:

http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

--ez

[GlennInVenice]

01:57 AM on 07/21/2011

Thank you Mr. President.

I have long been very critical of your failure to put your weight behind the cause of equal rights for homosexual Americans.

You have now done so although your stand against marriage inequality still falls a step short of being a stand for marriage equality; i.e. gay marriage.

You took a round-about route, you wafted, you even fought against us in many subtle ways over the years.

However, you just took an important stand for civil rights, for my civil rights, and I want to stop for a moment to acknowledge that.

Thank you Mr. President.

[antfern]

04:33 AM on 07/23/2011

One vote for Mr. Obama.

[Nopinky]

11:53 PM on 07/20/2011

www.radicallyreasonable.blogspot.com