Image via WikipediaFrom The Busy Signal:One of the most frustrating pieces of this issue is that a complete repeal of DADT requires a full repeal of DOMA. The latter bill, signed by Clinton in 1996, states that no individual state is required to recognize a legally performed same-sex union from another state, and defines marriage- for federal purposes- as a union between one man and one woman. The latter stipulation here precludes the United States Military from recognizing same-sex unions of soldiers, and therefore precludes same-sex partners from receiving health and/or survivor benefits, on-base living arrangements, and perhaps worst of all, means that the Military is under no obligation to notify same-sex partners of the deaths of servicemembers. For all the talk about marriage being a state’s issue, DOMA illustrates that, to the contrary, this is a federal issue. Even though full marriage equality exists in five states (NH, MA, CT, IA, VT), no other state is required to acknowledge these unions, and even legally married couples living in one of these states are not entitled to federal marriage benefits; they must, for example, file separate income taxes. . . In the past three sessions of Congress, John Boehner has received a zero rating from the Human Rights Campaign, which rates politicians based on their support for LGBT issues. Though Bill Clinton and seven of DOMA’s original supporters now support repeal, it looks unlikely in Boehner’s House. The new GOP majority in the House has a disturbing track record on our issues. I have no doubt they are prepared to block any legislation that would repeal or roll back DADT or DOMA. Boehner seems to determined to block every progressive measure Obama and the democrats introduce. His comments include:
“This is not a time for compromise, and I can tell you that we will not compromise on our principles.” He said he would work with Obama “to the extent the president wants to work with us, in terms of our goals,” and “We’d welcome his involvement.” Most disturbingly, Boehner promised this of Obama’s agenda: “We’re going to do everything — and I mean everything we can do — to kill it, stop it, slow it down, whatever we can.”
This does not bode well for the “gay agenda.”
Oh No Homo: How John Boehner and the New Republican Majority Will Do to Gays What They Wish We’d Stop Doing to Each Other « The Busy Signal
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