The Department of Justice followed Wednesday’s withdrawal from two DOMA cases in the Second Circuit, including GLAD’s Pedersen v. OPM by notifying the clerk of the First Circuit that they will also “cease to defend” the two consolidated DOMA cases, Gill v. Office of Personnel Management and Massachusetts v. HHS.
The DOJ has not sent a letter to the Congress declining to defend DOMA in toto in the Gill case, so its determination may only apply to the extent the court determines that heightened scrutiny is the proper standard of review for DOMA’s constitutionality. No matter what happens, the case will proceed with DOJ as the attorneys for the government defendants.
“It is increasingly clear to everyone what has been clear to gay and lesbian families for years – that DOMA’s denial of protections available to all other married families is discriminatory, harmful, and unjustifiable,” said Mary L. Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and lead attorney on both Gill and Pedersen.
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Well, that was quick. It seems that lots of people were displeased about Kansas House Bill 2260. You know, the bill that says you can hate on gay and trans people all you want, as long as you do it in the name of God.
“As long as we rule the country, gay marriages will never be on a par with traditional families”, stated Mr Berlusconi.
A House committee votes this week on two bills that would repeal New Hampshire’s gay marriage law.
Here’s our list of events today and tomorrow around the world relating to marriage equality, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and other LGBT equality issues. If you know of any other events – rallies, meetings, phonebanking, etc – please use the link below to add your event to our list!
