Yesterday, two actual fierce advocates, Rep. Jerry Nadler and Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, issued a joint statement calling on Congress to act on DOMA repeal. Now, that their same-sex couples can be legally married in New York, they're facing discrimination by the federal government:
“Today marks the first day that gay and lesbian New Yorkers can legally marry and, for the first time, same-sex couples are now equal in the eyes of State law,” said Congressman Nadler. “We should savor this historic moment, but there is still work to be done. Through DOMA, the federal government is actively discriminating against legally married same-sex couples – New Yorkers now among them – and refusing to recognize their marriages. This unjust and counterproductive law forces married gay and lesbian couples to endure dramatic financial and legal hardship, and this is utterly indefensible.”A couple weeks ago, I wrote a post about DOMA repeal and the New York Congressional Delegation. I can report that all the House Democrats are cosponsors of Nadler's bill, H.R. 1116, the Respect for Marriage Act. Chuck Schumer is a cosponsor of the Senate bill, S. 598.
“New York is sending a powerful message to the rest of the nation today as we once again lead the way for equal rights,” said Senator Gillibrand. “The right to get married and start a family is a basic, human right that must be shared by all Americans. Every loving, committed couple in America deserves this right. And no politician should stand in the way of this fact. But as hundreds of loving, committed couples celebrate this historic day by finally being able to marry the person they love, the fact remains that the federal Defense of Marriage Act will continue to discriminate against these loving committed couples. The work for full marriage equality is not done. If Democrats and Republicans can come together to do what’s right in New York, I know we can do the same in Congress to do what’s right for all of America. Now is the time to repeal this corrosive policy.”
Not one New York GOPer is on board. Actually, not one GOPer is on either the House or Senate repeal bills. But, the New York bill passed with bipartisan support -- and has broad support from the voters of New York. DOMA directly discriminates against New Yorkers now.
Representatives Richard Hanna and Nan Hayworth already outed themselves as potential supporters when they voted against that whack job Virginia Foxx's idiotic, homophobic DOMA amendment earlier this month. Maybe now, Hanna, Hayworth and the rest will stand up for the rights of their constituents -- even the gays ones.
Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle (R-25): 202-225-3701
Rep. Chris Gibson (R-20): 202-225-5614
Rep. Michael Grimm (R-13): 202-225-3371
Rep. Richard Hanna (R-24): 202-225-3665
Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-19): 202-225-5441
Rep. Peter King (R-3): 202-225-7896
Rep. Tom Reed (R-29): 202-225-3161
