With DADT gone, is DOMA next?
- Nov 2, 2011 -
In September, the homosexual lobby celebrated what it considered to be a pair of major victories. The first was the official repeal of the longstanding “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which barred open homosexuals from serving in the military. The second was the Defense Department’s go-ahead to allow same-sex “weddings” on military bases. Now supporters of so-called homosexual “rights” are taking aim at an even bigger target: the Defense of Marriage Act.
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider legislation to strike and kill the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA. The deceptively named Respect for Marriage Act (S. 598), sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), would repeal the 1996 law outright, bypassing the American people’s voice on an institution that helps to comprise the very foundation of our nation. Ten of the 18 committee members have thrown their support behind the bill.
The federal law on marriage does two important things: defines marriage for federal purposes as only the union of one man and one woman and protects states from being forced to recognize same-sex “marriages” performed in jurisdictions where such relationships are legal.
Fifteen years ago, DOMA earned broad, bipartisan support in Washington—the House approved it overwhelmingly, 347-67, as did the Senate, 85-14, before President Clinton signed it into law. No longer. Times have changed concerning what should constitute marriage. At least that’s what many in Washington would have us to believe.
The American people, however, are not so convinced. In fact, traditional marriage remains the only acceptable definition among voters in a majority of the states. Thirty states have defined marriage in their constitutions as only the union of a man and a woman. But if S. 598 becomes law, then those state laws on marriage could be easily stripped away by the courts. Same-sex “marriage” could be forced upon states from coast to coast.
Consideration of S. 598 follows in rapid succession of a series of strikes against marriage. In September, repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” officially took effect. Next, the Department of Defense announced that same-sex “marriage” ceremonies may be conducted on military bases—with military chaplains performing the ceremonies, no less. Then, just days ago, a pair of suits were filed challenging DOMA on grounds that it discriminates against spouses of gay and lesbian service members.
While marriage is under fire in the Senate and elsewhere, the House, to its credit, has stood for its defense in recent months. Earlier this year, when the Justice Department announced it would no longer defend DOMA against legal challenges, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) announced the House would step in to fulfill the administration’s shirked duties. In May, the House approved a Defense authorization bill with an amendment that would bar same-sex “weddings” from being performed on military bases. A second amendment tacked on to the bill would require, in no uncertain terms, that the military realign with DOMA. In short, the military should abide by the law. Currently, a sizable group of congressmen, led by Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO), is calling on Senate leadership to include these amendments in the Senate version of the Defense bill.
In short time, we will see, once again, where our elected leaders stand on marriage. The Respect for Marriage Act, contrary to its winsome name, offers only disrespect for the age-old institution. It should be defeated and DOMA upheld, including within the military.
If you agree, please contact your senators and urge them to vote against the Respect for Marriage Act (S. 598) and to support inclusion of amendments to the Defense authorization bill to require the military to abide by the Defense of Marriage Act. If your senators serve on the Judiciary Committee, they especially need to hear from you on S. 598.
Further Learning
Learn more about: Family, Marriage, Sexual Purity, Homosexuality,