DOMA must go!!! The following is copied text from the Lamda Legal email I received this am:
Today, a bill to repeal the so-called “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA) was introduced into the House of Representatives. I was pleased to stand with Congressman Jerrold Nadler and other co-sponsors and especially proud to introduce Jen and Dawn BarbouRoske who were plaintiffs in our marriage equality victory in Iowa.
Because of that victory in April, Jen and Dawn are now married. Because of DOMA, their marriage is not recognized or respected by our federal government. That’s a disgrace. It’s long past time for DOMA to go.
Iowa plaintiffs Jen (left) and Dawn (right) BarbouRoske with their daughters Breanna and McKinley stand with Congressman Jerrold Nadler outside of the U.S. Capitol Building.
The Respect for Marriage Act introduced today will repeal this shameful law that currently prevents the federal government from recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples. For example, same-sex spouses are not entitled to Social Security benefits in the same way their married neighbors are and are forced by their government to lie when they file their federal tax returns, as they are required to check the “single” box when they are legally married.
The BarbouRoskes have been together for nearly 20 years and when they got married this summer, they got the same license and undertook the same responsibilities as every other married couple in Iowa. The federal government should not discriminate against them. That’s why Lambda Legal’s attorneys have been working closely for months with Congressman Nadler’s staff and colleagues from our sister LGBT organizations to craft this bill and prepare for its launch today.
Please call or email your member of Congress today to ask him or her to co-sponsor and support the Respect for Marriage Act.
Earlier this year, Lambda Legal’s unanimous marriage equality victory in the heartland state of Iowa showed that Americans are ready for change. But there is a lot of hard work ahead to gain passage of this bill. There are already more than 90 co-sponsors—which is inspiring—but we need more.
We have a fact sheet available online to explain more about this bill and what it means to you.
It was great to be in Washington today. After 13 years, it is time to take this insulting and discriminatory law off the books. We are proud of Congressman Nadler, openly gay members of Congress Tammy Baldwin (WI) and Jared Polis (CO) and the many other co-sponsors, and thank them for their leadership.
Lambda Legal will continue to fight to see that the Respect for Marriage Act is passed—and will keep fighting for the rights of same-sex couples across the country. Thank you for supporting our work and being part of history!”
Do your stuff, ppl!
Peace, out!
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