I think my congressman, Jerrald Nadler, is fantastic. I live in NY08, and I am fortunate enough that Congressman Nadler lives a couple of buildings away from me. A number of times I've seen him in the neighborhood, in a local business, and he is forever attentive to his constituants. He appears with neighborhood groups in support of their causes. He tirelessly attends many community meetings. He listens, and makes good decisions as to the best of his district.
And now, I think Congressman Nadler has shown himself to be the best (although I've alwaays thought that.) On September 15th, my congressman introduced the Respect for Marriage Act, a bill that would do away with the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and make sure that those couples who have a legally recognized marriage in their states are able to enjoy the full federal rights and benefits of any other married couple.
So this isn't going to be the longest diary, but all I want to say is now is the time to start contacting your elected federal representative, and get their support for this bill. Let them know that you want this bill on President Obama's desk RIGHT NOW!
The Respect for Marriage Act, as from the e-mail I received from him:
would repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a 1996 law which discriminates against lawfully married same-sex couples. The 13-year-old DOMA singles out legally married same-sex couples for discriminatory treatment under federal law, selectively denying them critical federal rights and protections, including access to programs like social security which are intended to ensure the stability and security of American families.
The Respect for Marriage Act is the consensus of months of planning and organizing among the nation’s leading LGBT and civil rights stakeholders and legislators. It would ensure that marriages are respected under federal law, providing couples with the much-needed certainty that their lawful marriages will be honored. Six states currently recognize the right of same-sex couples to marry, yet these legal unions receive no federal recognition. My bill embraces the common law principle that marriages that are legally valid in the state in which they were entered into should be recognized by the federal government. The Respect for Marriage Act would not tell any state who can marry or how married couples must be treated for purposes of state law, nor would it obligate any person, church, city, or state to celebrate or license a marriage of two people of the same sex.
The Respect for Marriage Act was introduced with 92 original co-sponsors and has garnered the support of President Clinton, who signed DOMA into law in 1996, and former-Representative Bob Barr (R-GA) who first introduced DOMA.
So that's it. I've been bugging Congressman Nadler and his staff about this (along with other things) and he listened and did something about it. Let's not let him feel that he's alone with this. Maybe take a moment and write his office to thank him and that you support him. AND NOW IS THE TIME TO CONTACT YOUR REPRESENTATIVE AND SENATORS AND GET THEM VOTING FOR THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.