Comments on: Rallies nationwide support same-sex marriage

By: Gabe Coppinger

Gabe Coppinger — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:05:36 +0000

And Dallas, Austin, and Denton, TX! http://www.myspace.com/queerliberaction

By: Jeff Jungblut

Jeff Jungblut — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 03:09:20 +0000

DOMA as a whole will never be repealed because doing so would force all state governments to recognize same-sex marriages performed in Massachusetts, and because non-residents can be married in MA, repealing DOMA would have the effect of overturning all state laws and constitutional bans against same-sex marriage.

Very few in Congress will vote to overturn DOMA (it passed by a HUGE margin in 1996) and the Supreme Court has so far refused to hear any cases challenging it.

I wouldn’t hold out hope for a repeal of DOMA until 3/4 or more of the states legalize same-sex marriage and I don’t see that happening in my lifetime.

By: Brad

Brad — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:53:23 +0000

Does anyone really think that Obama or Congress will seriously repeal DOMA anytime soon?

It would take them 10 minutes to have a vote on this, but obviously they would be too timid to take on such a “divisive” issue and spend costly political capital.

The Equality Agenda is basically:
1. repealing DOMA
2. recognising civil union / marriages as “marriages or spouses” in terms of federal law
3. Banning discrimination in Employment (ENDA)
4. Banning discrimination in the military (Ending Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell)
5. Expanding hate crime legistlation to include GLBT people

I think numbers 3 and 5 might be able to passed without causing major uproar. 4 will be a fight with the old guard at the Pentagon. And, 1 and 2 would be difficult.

Let us remember that even Obama is still captive to discrimation and separate but equal thinking, which is really sad considering someone of his intellect and background.

Nevertheless, it might help to support equality minded politicians. Ted Kennedy comes to mind.