HRC President Joe Solmonese, a key witness during Wednesday’s historic hearing on the Respect for Marriage act, announced his strong support for the landmark legislation and explained that the hearing “proved that married same-sex couples share the same values and needs as other married couples.”
Married LGBT couples “are constantly hamstrung in their ability to protect themselves because of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act,” Solmonese said. He added that DOMA allows the federal government to pick and choose which marriages it likes and dislikes – a right that, in Solmonese’s words, is none of the federal government’s business to begin with.
The Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing marks the first time Congress has entertained the idea of repealing DOMA since its enactment nearly 15 years ago. In reference to their leadership at the hearing and to their work in introducing the Respect for Marriage Act, Solmonese recognized Senators Leahy, Feinstein and Gillibrand and thanked them for “their leadership in ending federal marriage discrimination.” He went on to thank Rep. Nadler for his support for the bill in the House.
“We look forward to continuing to work with them until all marriages are treated equally in the eyes of the law, “Solmonese concluded.
