Senate Committee Passes DOMA Repeal

Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 598/H.R. 1116), which would fully repeal the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA). As many lesbians, gays, and bisexuals (LGB) have found out firsthand, DOMA (which was passed in 1996) causes significant harm to same-sex families by denying them federal recognition. This has meant that LGB service members have continued to face discrimination even after the repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy. In addition, DOMA has imposed higher tax burdens on same-sex families and excluded same-sex couples and their children from eligibility for key social safety net programs. This kind of discrimination compounds the fact that LGBT individuals are disproportionately poor - not to mention that the very existence of DOMA falsely implies gay relationships are worth less than straight ones. While the Respect for Marriage Act must still be passed by the full Senate and move through the House of Representatives in order for DOMA to be a law of the past, today's action by the Senate Judiciary Committee is the first step in ending an era of federally sanctioned bigotry against lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals. The recognition that LGB people are created in the image of the Divine (Genesis 1:27) is long overdue--contact your Members of Congress today and urge them to support the Respect for Marriage Act. Photo courtesy of Getty Images.