Following two appeals filed today by the U.S. Department of Justice in support of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the Human Rights Campaign urged President Barack Obama to support marriage equality for all Americans. In December, the President said that his views were “evolving.” Today, HRC is calling on him and his Administration to take the next step and embrace full marriage equality for all Americans.
“All families deserve the recognition and respect of their government,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “It’s time for him to help lead the American public toward full equality for all Americans. We ask him to fully recognize the dignity of LGBT Americans and their families by supporting marriage equality.”
Earlier today, the Department of Justice filed a brief appealing two federal court rulings that found DOMA to be unconstitutional. The Administration claims that it has a duty to defend the laws that are on the books, despite the President’s public statements denouncing DOMA as discriminatory. We disagree. At the very least, the Justice Department can and should acknowledge that the law is unconstitutional.
Now is the time for the President to stand firmly against bigotry and discrimination in our laws and for the full inclusion of our community in marriage.
After the Department of Justice filed the brief in federal court today, HRC issued a nation-wide action alert to its 1.3 million members and supporters asking them to urge the President to support marriage equality.
