U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler gets it. He understands that the time has come to repeal the discriminatory and hateful Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This law prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and denies equal protection to tens of thousands of legally married gay and lesbian couples across our nation.
I should know. This past April, my life partner and I were married in Greenwich, CT...on our 29th anniversary! We figured that after nearly three decades (and five kids!), it was about time for us to get legally wed.
Even though our marriage is recognized and provided with equal rights under the laws of New York State, because of DOMA my spouse and I are still denied more than 1,100 federal benefits, protections and responsibilities that otherwise apply to heterosexual married couples. These include Social Security survivors' benefits, family and medical leave, equal treatment under U.S. immigration laws, adoption rights, and much more.
All across America, same-sex couples are living the same lives as opposite-sex couples. Like Robert and me, they're raising their children, paying their taxes, serving on the PTA, coaching Little League, and trying their hardest to balance work and family obligations.
On September 15th, Rep. Nadler filed legislation in Congress that would repeal DOMA and allow same-sex couples to qualify for federal benefits. The bill is called the Respect for Marriage Act and it already has more than 90 co-sponsors.
Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act will certainly not happen overnight. However, this is all about building momentum towards the day when full equality for gays and lesbians will be achieved. To quote Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., "We shall overcome because the arc of a moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice."