“DOMA is a federal law passed by Congress that precludes uniform federal recognition of same-sex relationships, even those recognized as valid under the law of the state. Because the President believes that this is an issue that should be left to the states, he continues to support the legislative repeal of DOMA.” That’s the White House’s official response to a press conference question earlier this week asking when, exactly, the president would make good on his campaign promise to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. The White House’s answer to that question, uh, does not answer that question. In the meantime, consider this nugget of wisdom: “DOMA is a federal law, passed by congress, just like the 55 speed limit once was. Just like 55 was repealed by a vote of congress DOMA could be also. To be written into the constitution it has to be passed by a 2/3 vote in congress and then approved by 38 states. This did not happen with DOMA so DOMA is a law subject to repeal by a congress vote. That is a big distinction.” Sounds like a good briefing room follow-up question.
Oaklander
There have been state laws that allowed blacks to be owned, denied education, voting rights too. There is a place for federal laws, and … dare I say it… “leadership”.
atdleft
What I said in the DADT thread stands for DOMA as well. Until Obama actually does something to help repeal DOMA, he gets no $$$$ from me. I voted for him, funded him, and worked for him because of his promises to undo DOMA & DADT. Until that happens, I guess my time and money can go elsewhere.
Charles
You know, at least w/ Republicans, they tend to wear their homophobia on their sleeves. Democrats like to talk about equal rights and court the gay vote, then they hang us out to dry (Clinton, anyone?). Obama hasn’t done anything impressive yet. I have my fingers crossed that some action will take place in the next 4 years, but I’m not holding my breath.
schlukitz
When “Gawd’s in the mix”, leadership becomes a euphemism.
rsquared
Obama is even worse than Clinton in that Obama made campaign promises concerning the repeal of the DOMA and DADT. So far, he’s done nothing concerning those issues. Patience is waning here.
If you think DOMA is okay because states can decide, then consider that a foreign spouse in a same sex marriage will never be extended immigration/visa rights to live in the U.S. – those laws are federal, and DOMA will prevent a foreign spouse from ever legally living in the U.S. no matter what the state law might provide.
Wouldn’t it be great if all gay military personnel AND all sympathetic personnel came out en masse? The military would have to deal with tens of thousands of these cases probably forcing the prompt repeal of DADT.
orpheus_lost
Why should our human rights be left up to the states while the right to an abortion is not? Does Obama feel that we are less worthy of our rights than pregnant women? Does he think there’s a logical reason to allow Mississippi to deny us the rights Maine has provided?
These half answers and prevarications have completely soured me on this administration. It is now apparent for anyone who isn’t personally in love with this guy that he has no intention of honoring his promises to us. I honestly regret giving Obama my money and my vote. It will not happen again.
jjm16
Why the hell do we keep talking about Obama, who has clearly stated he would support a congressional repeal? Also, do we not realize the importance of addressing the DOMA prior to DADT? DADT can wait; a repeal of the DOMA cannot.
Obama has consistently pandered to christian conservatives regarding the DOMA, so his indirect approach doesn’t surprise me one bit. contrary to silly news bits regarding the “removal” of his commitment to repealing the DOMA, DADT and hate crimes legislation, however, Obama still openly supports repeals of the former two the strengthening of the third-suggesting he might directly work to overturn DADT… or will the issue be left to congress?
Importantly, IF democrats in congress take action soon enough to repeal the DOMA, Obama will support the measure. By demanding action on DADT, gay partisans are opening up an avenue for the postponement of action to repeal the DOMA, especially when momentum and public focus on the DOMA is at unparalleled levels.
The question we must ask now is, will dems. in congress address the DOMA soon enough, or will they stall significant civil rights moves by focusing on DADT firstly, and (too) late in obama’s first term to repeal of the DOMA???
Pelosi and other democrats paint a bleak picture for a repeal of the DOMA, in particular, because they seem afraid to step up and advocate its repeal-a job Obama has clearly left to congress:
http://www.365gay.com/news/support-grows-for-federal-doma-repeal/
Michael W.
@rsquared: How is Obama even worse than Clinton? He’s worse than the guy who happily signed DOMA into law?
I’m all for holding Obama’s feet to the fire but these frequent attempts to rewrite the history of the Clinton presidency will not go unanswered.
As bad as Obama is for pretending we don’t exist, he still hasn’t stabbed us in the back the way Bill Clinton did.
dgz
you just know, that as soon as Congress actually does something, Obama will take credit for it.
i just don’t understand how a campaign promise can be completely, utterly deflected onto a third party.
Michael W.
@dgz: Why shouldn’t he take credit for it?
The only reason why the Dems feel brave enough to try and pass shit like this is because they know the big man down the street is waiting to sign it. If Bush were in office ready to veto and they didn’t have the votes to override it, then they wouldn’t even bother trying to pass it. It would stall and go to some dark place to hibernate or die.
Barack Obama is the reason it would become law. That makes him the star and he gets the upfront credit, and then congress people who supported it and voted for it get to take a piece of the credit when it’s election time (so long as it benefits them). That’s the way it works. And if people like you try to downplay his role in it, I’ll be here to remind you.
InExile
@Michael W.: The Dems are not pushing to repeal DOMA and neither is Obama. If he was he would have publicly asked the congress and senate to move on the repeal, he has not! Just another empty campaign promise!
ron sweesy
@jjm16:
i agree. there’s an utter lacking of strategic thinking among us happy-go-lucky gays regarding civil rights in general. Repealing DADT in the near future is very much a given… repealing DOMA-not so much.
to think of repealing DADT and DOMA as a package deal-or something to addressed in whatever order-is exactly what the chickenshit Democrats in congress want. stalling on the issue of DADT by addressing it late in Obama’s (first?) term will let them further avoid DOMA. DOMA is definitely a much more sensitive issue for any congressman.
alan brickman
he sets back equal rights for blacks too when he does this …
andy
I said this before and I’ll say this again: I will not give another DOLLAR to the Democratic Party until they AT LEAST repair the damage that Clinton brought upon us and our families. This should be the starting point. Action speaks louder than words and I rather keep my money in my pocket then finance my own subjugation again. We have 3 years and some months but I’m not too hopeful at the moment.
Julie
I live outside the US because my partner is English. Their laws allow me to stay here as her partner. She doesn’t have any family here, she loves my family and the US, and will be an asset to the country. I voted for Obama by mail-in ballot. We are just waiting for something to change so she can immigrate to the US.
I want to go home.