The Department of Justice filed its second brief in response to the Smelt v. United States lawsuit challenging the Defense of Marriage Act, and LGBT activists said the brief was not only much more palatable but also made some historic concessions.
Search results for doma
New DOMA Brief More LGBT Friendly
Posted by
igualdad 1009 days ago
(http://www.advocate.com)
Press Release from National Equality March Supporting UAFA
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1009 days ago
(http://pflaglaurelms.wordpress.com)
NAACP BOARD CHAIRMAN LEADS GROUP OF RECENT, HIGH-PROFILE ENDORSEMENTS FOR THE NATIONAL EQUALITY MARCH Diverse Ranks Continue to Deepen as “Equality Across America” Expands Los Angeles, CA, August 18 – Broad-based support for the National Equality March (NEM) has been growing exponentially across the country over the past few weeks, according to its organizer Equality Across America (EAA). Thousands of Americans are hearing the drumbeat for LGBT equality and plan to follow it to the nation’s capital this October. Thousands of individuals representing dozens of organizations from across the country have gone to the organization’s website to sign up.
US Representative, Danny K. Davis, of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Letwin, Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW); and NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond, have all recently voiced their support for the NEM. “GLBT r
US Representative, Danny K. Davis, of Chicago, Illinois; Michael Letwin, Co-Convener, New York City Labor Against the War (NYCLAW); and NAACP Board Chairman, Julian Bond, have all recently voiced their support for the NEM. “GLBT r
ABA NEA Come Out for Gay Rights (The Advocate via Yahoo! News)
Posted by
MikeLA 1011 days ago
(http://news.yahoo.com)
LGBT causes got a major boost last week when two large professional associations announced their support for same-sex marriage recognition.The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) recently adopted resolutions supporting gay rights.
The ABA, at a Chicago conference last week, called on lawmakers to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. While the association did not take an overt stand on marriage equality, they called the active law, which bars federal agencies from recognizing legal same-sex marriages, unfair.
Estelle Rogers, a member and consultant on civil rights, told the ABA's newsletter, "This is a very modest recommendation, some would even say a fair recommendation."
In San Diego, the NEA came out for LGBT causes, aligning itself with the community on DOMA, the passage of an employee nondiscrimination act
The ABA, at a Chicago conference last week, called on lawmakers to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. While the association did not take an overt stand on marriage equality, they called the active law, which bars federal agencies from recognizing legal same-sex marriages, unfair.
Estelle Rogers, a member and consultant on civil rights, told the ABA's newsletter, "This is a very modest recommendation, some would even say a fair recommendation."
In San Diego, the NEA came out for LGBT causes, aligning itself with the community on DOMA, the passage of an employee nondiscrimination act
California Assembly To Hear Testimony On Resolution on Uniting American Families Act
Posted by
ATLdave 1011 days ago
(http://www.topix.com)
The California Assembly Judiciary Committee will be hearing testimony on AJR 15, a California resolution to support the federal Uniting American Families Act (UAFA).
The resolution, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the US Congress pass and that President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex spouse. LGBT partners do not have the same right and are specifically excluded even if married under State law, sue to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who can prove they are in a committed relationship.
The resolution, introduced by Assembly Member Kevin de León (D-Los Angeles) and co-sponsored by Equality California (EQCA) and Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), formally requests that the US Congress pass and that President Barack Obama sign the Uniting American Families Act. Under current federal law, American citizens are permitted to sponsor an opposite-sex spouse. LGBT partners do not have the same right and are specifically excluded even if married under State law, sue to the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA which defines marriage as between a man and a woman only. The UAFA would extend this basic right to committed same-sex couples, who can prove they are in a committed relationship.
Professional Associations Back UAFA and Gay Marriage
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1017 days ago
(http://allogenes.blogspot.com)
Both the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Bar Association (ABA) have adopted resolutions backing GLBT rights, including the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry.
Without naming the legislation, the NEA voiced its support for repeal of DOMA, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill currently before Congress that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill that would extend health-care and retirement benefits to the gay and lesbian spouses of federal employees, and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship.
Without naming the legislation, the NEA voiced its support for repeal of DOMA, passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill currently before Congress that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, a bill that would extend health-care and retirement benefits to the gay and lesbian spouses of federal employees, and the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA), a bill that would allow gay and lesbian Americans to sponsor an immigrant partner for citizenship.
Feingold Sought to Introduce DOMA Repeal Visa Implications
Posted by
Fight4theRight 1023 days ago
(http://integrity-legal.com)
As the movement towards the eventual repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) continues, it appears that proponents of repeal may score a minor victory by enlisting Senator Russ Feingold to introduce repeal legislation.
The Washington Blade reports,“[Senator] Feingold is an attractive ally to introduce a DOMA repeal bill because he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Constitution Subcommittee, which hold jurisdiction over DOMA, she said.”
Concurrently, it would appear that Jerry Nadler, Democratic Member of the House of Representatives, is preparing to introduce a bill to repeal DOMA. Under the provisions of the DOMA repeal currently being considered, states would not be forced to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states, but the Federal government would be required to recognize these marriages and provide federal benefits.
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The Washington Blade reports,“[Senator] Feingold is an attractive ally to introduce a DOMA repeal bill because he chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee’s Constitution Subcommittee, which hold jurisdiction over DOMA, she said.”
Concurrently, it would appear that Jerry Nadler, Democratic Member of the House of Representatives, is preparing to introduce a bill to repeal DOMA. Under the provisions of the DOMA repeal currently being considered, states would not be forced to recognize same-sex marriages conducted in other states, but the Federal government would be required to recognize these marriages and provide federal benefits.
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HRC Says DOMA Must Go (Gay Immigration Rights)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1023 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
After urging their members to talk to their lawmakers about the LGBT agenda (DOMA Repeal chief among them) during the August Recess, HRC has followed with a survey intended to show congress the damage DOMA is doing to LGBT families.
Like many others in the community, I have always been skeptical of HRC in their ability and willingness to speak for the grassroots. But if this time they truly put their weight behind the DOMA repeal, I'm more than willing to open my wallet and donate money. Joe Solomonese can have as many galas as he likes if my family can enjoy some real rights.
Like many others in the community, I have always been skeptical of HRC in their ability and willingness to speak for the grassroots. But if this time they truly put their weight behind the DOMA repeal, I'm more than willing to open my wallet and donate money. Joe Solomonese can have as many galas as he likes if my family can enjoy some real rights.
Americans Marry During Amsterdam Gay Pride
Posted by
freedom2immigrate 1025 days ago
(http://www.ontopmag.com)
The five married Americans are from New York where their marriages might be legal – the state recognizes legal gay marriage – but the couples could not have wed there.
If the couples wish to remain together they will have to live in the Netherlands. Federal law denies gay and lesbian couples the right to sponsor an immigrant spouse to become a U.S. citizen under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
If the couples wish to remain together they will have to live in the Netherlands. Federal law denies gay and lesbian couples the right to sponsor an immigrant spouse to become a U.S. citizen under the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
Feingold is an interesting choice since Wisconsin will have a limited domestic partnership law in place by October, but his constituents won't be able to benefit from the DOMA Repeal as it will only recognize marriage, but not civil union/domestic partnership. So I don't know how enthusiatic he'd be in pushing a DOMA repeal. Granted, it may allow people living in states where gay marriage is not legal to get married in states where it is and enjoy federal benefits.
Now, if it doesn't pass in this session (2009), I don't see how it can get picked up by the next session, where midterm election will be on everyone's mind and controversial topics are avoided at all costs.
But we should take comfort in the fact that progress is happening, albeit at a much lower pace than we'd like. That's the political reality....
Now, if it doesn't pass in this session (2009), I don't see how it can get picked up by the next session, where midterm election will be on everyone's mind and controversial topics are avoided at all costs.
But we should take comfort in the fact that progress is happening, albeit at a much lower pace than we'd like. That's the political reality....
Nadler says DOMA Repeal Will Skip Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1030 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
"Under DOMA's Section 3 the federal government is forbidden from recognizing LGBT couples married in the six states where same-sex marriage is legal. Section 2 of the law says those states that outlaw same-sex marriages do not have to recognize legal same-sex marriages from other states. Nadler said his bill would repeal both sections of DOMA. 'We have got to repeal DOMA and have got to make sure it accomplishes for federal purposes allowing the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages,' said Nadler, who led the fight to defeat a Federal Marriage Amendment that would have enshrined the same-sex marriage ban in the U.S. Constitution. 'The time for dumping DOMA is long overdue.' HRC President Joe Solmonese said it makes sense to restrict the debate over repealing DOMA only to recognition of same-sex marriage. 'We ought to start it with what we would ultimately achieve, a wholesa
The effort to repeal the federal ban against same-sex marriages will not include extending rights to LGBT couples in domestic partnerships or civil unions, the Bay Area Reporter has learned. But it will include a "certainty provision" requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-New York), in an exclusive interview with the B.A.R. while attending the annual Human Rights Campaign gala in San Francisco Saturday, July 25, ruled out including anything other than legally recognized marriages in the legislation he plans to introduce either this week or once Congress returns from its August recess. He is also the author and original sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act. "We have got to repeal DOMA and have got to make sure it accomplishes for federal purposes allowing the federal government to recognize same-sex m
Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-New York), in an exclusive interview with the B.A.R. while attending the annual Human Rights Campaign gala in San Francisco Saturday, July 25, ruled out including anything other than legally recognized marriages in the legislation he plans to introduce either this week or once Congress returns from its August recess. He is also the author and original sponsor of the Uniting American Families Act. "We have got to repeal DOMA and have got to make sure it accomplishes for federal purposes allowing the federal government to recognize same-sex m
Gay Immigration Rights DOMA Repeal Bill Will Be Introduced Soon
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1030 days ago
(http://gayimmigration.blogspot.com)
The partial DOMA repeal that I had hoped for is just not going to deliver. All political realities considered, we're not going to see a solution to the gay immigration debacle until President Obama's second term. ...I have serious doubts that this bill will pass. I am really disappointed that this is not the "DOMA Partial Repeal Plus" that the Advocate reported a while ago, which would only repeal Section 3 but recognize any "marriage like" arrangements registered with the local government.
This, although disappointing, is not unexpected. Recent news articles have reported that LGBT activists differ on how this legislation may look, with many worrying that the "DOMA Repeal Plus" bill would only serve as a counter argument for gay marriage.
This, although disappointing, is not unexpected. Recent news articles have reported that LGBT activists differ on how this legislation may look, with many worrying that the "DOMA Repeal Plus" bill would only serve as a counter argument for gay marriage.
The GLN UAFA Action Alert
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1038 days ago
(http://gayliberationnetwork.blogspot.com)
Click here to send a letter to your representative in support of the Uniting American Families Act, which would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to permit permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.
Use this tool to find contact information about your representatives and tell them you want DOMA repealed.
Use this tool to find contact information about your representatives and tell them you want DOMA repealed.
The Reuniting Families Act (Integrity Legal Blog)
Posted by
OurHero-Tan 1038 days ago
(http://integrity-legal.com)
It would appear that although repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) may not be happening anytime during the current legislative session. For same sex partners of United States Citizens, there may be hope that United States Federal Immigration Law could be modified in order to allow for United States immigration benefits for Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, and Trans-gender (LGBT) Couples.
According to CBS News: “[M]ore than 100 lawmakers in the House and about 20 in the Senate have signed onto bills that would add the United States to the 19 countries that already recognize same-sex couples for immigration purposes.”
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) is currently being considered in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Many lawmakers are hoping to amend the currently pending bills with proposed amendments to correct
According to CBS News: “[M]ore than 100 lawmakers in the House and about 20 in the Senate have signed onto bills that would add the United States to the 19 countries that already recognize same-sex couples for immigration purposes.”
Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) is currently being considered in both the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Many lawmakers are hoping to amend the currently pending bills with proposed amendments to correct
The State of the Same Sex Union Part Two in a Three Part Series
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1038 days ago
(http://writ.news.findlaw.com)
The Points on the Sliding Scale: Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships, Etc.
In these six states with full marriage rights, there are no state-level distinctions between same-sex and different-sex married couples. Marriage has simply been opened to include same-sex couples.
Because of the federal law known as DOMA (we will have more to say about this law in Part III), however, validly celebrated same-sex marriages will not be recognized for any federal law purpose such as tax status, immigration, Social Security, etc. (This state/federal split leads to sometimes odd conundrums such as the need to create "dummy" federal tax returns to include with state tax returns that permit joint-filing status for same-sex spouses.) But within the state in which the marriage was celebrated, a spouse is a spouse, regardless of sex.
In these six states with full marriage rights, there are no state-level distinctions between same-sex and different-sex married couples. Marriage has simply been opened to include same-sex couples.
Because of the federal law known as DOMA (we will have more to say about this law in Part III), however, validly celebrated same-sex marriages will not be recognized for any federal law purpose such as tax status, immigration, Social Security, etc. (This state/federal split leads to sometimes odd conundrums such as the need to create "dummy" federal tax returns to include with state tax returns that permit joint-filing status for same-sex spouses.) But within the state in which the marriage was celebrated, a spouse is a spouse, regardless of sex.
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.