DOMA Act
This is a sad fact that still rings true in america today: not all americans are free. This may come as a shock to some people, but gay couples are being denied certain unalienable rights like something as simple as marriage. Prejudice is a major problem when it comes to gay marriage because same-sex couples who wish to become married disgust some people who believe that a union should only be between a man and a woman. The Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, is an example of this prejudice. The act denies federal benefits to gay men and lesbians normally given to married couples. Section 3 of the act is one that denies these couples over 1,100 federal benefits and rights. It was repealed in 2012 by president Barack Obama because of the court case Windsor v. United States which ruled section 3 of the act as unconstitutional. Section 2 of the act still remains as the law of the land. Section 2 states that even if same-sex couples are legally married, states are allowed to refuse to recognize valid civil marriages.
Respect of Marriage Act
Respect of Marriage Act, or RMA is an act that repeals DOMA. This act wants rid of section 2 of the defense of marriage act and wants federal benefits returned to gay married couples. It doesn't require that states that have not yet enacted legal protections for gay couples to recognize a marriage or any religious institution. It simply wants the federal government to equally apply its policy of looking to the states in determining what legal relationships are eligible for federal benefits. Gay couples shouldn't have to leave their homes and families just to have the opportunity to wed.
Citations:
"Congress.gov." Library of Congress. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Oct. 2014.
"18th Annual National Dinner." Human Rights Campaign. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
