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House Dems Working to Repeal Gay-Marriage Law

Bill seeks to repeal DOMA, extend benefits to same-sex couples

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2009 10:10 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A group of three House Democrats, two of them gay, are slated to unveil a bill this week that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 law that defines marriage as a man-woman union and blocks same-sex couples from getting full benefits, the Hill reports. DOMA has frustrated White House attempts to expand domestic partner benefits for same-sex couples.

When gay leaders blasted President Obama for excluding full domestic partner health benefits from his federal worker benefit package earlier this year, Obama said DOMA made it legally impossible for him "to provide same-sex couples with the full range of benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples," and reiterated his call for the law's repeal.


Keegan O'Brien of Worcester, Mass., leads chants as members of the LGBT community protest the Defense of Marriage Act outside a Democratic fundraiser Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
Keegan O'Brien of Worcester, Mass., leads chants as members of the LGBT community protest the Defense of Marriage Act outside a Democratic fundraiser Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Participants march with a 900-foot-long rainbow flag during the Southern Maine Pride parade, Saturday, June 20, 2009, in Portland, Maine.
Participants march with a 900-foot-long rainbow flag during the Southern Maine Pride parade, Saturday, June 20, 2009, in Portland, Maine.   (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)
Keith Toney, and Al Toney III, in Cambridge, Mass, June 19, 2009. Gay couples can now show passports that feature their married names, due to a little-noticed revision to State Department regulations.
Keith Toney, and Al Toney III, in Cambridge, Mass, June 19, 2009. Gay couples can now show passports that feature their married names, due to a little-noticed revision to State Department regulations.   (AP Photo/Josh Reynolds)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 58 comments
paul123
Sep 15, 2009 12:52 PM CDT
@I hate to say: "homosexual" is the word ???? (saris), commonly translated "eunuch". Now I see where you may be trying to lead with this. Your argument will be that the bible is talking about eunuchs, and not homosexuals. However note the reference to homosexuality is done without using the modern word "homosexual" or the old hebrew word "saris". The bible clearly states: Lev 18:22 Thou (men) shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination. Now, you may agree or disagree with the Bible, and I'm not arguing the validity of the Bible, but I am at least insistent upon what it is actually saying.
Face-Of-RNC
Sep 15, 2009 12:45 PM CDT
rightthing - please stick your mythilogical beliefs elsewhere.
Face-Of-RNC
Sep 15, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
Liberty for Libertyman, and to hell with everyone else.

 
gay marriage • Defense of Marriage Act • same-sex couples

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