Progressive groups ask N.M. senators to support repeal of Defense of Marriage Act
Progressive groups are stepping up efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the legislation that says no state can be required to recognize same-sex marriage. The groups are asking New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman, both Democrats, to support a repeal of the controversial law.
Jul 31, 20206.5K Shares816.8K Views
Progressive groups are stepping up efforts to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, the legislation that says no state can be required to recognize same-sex marriage. The groups are asking New Mexico Sens. Tom Udall and Jeff Bingaman, both Democrats, to support a repeal of the controversial law.
“Thousands of LGBT people and straight allies supported Sens. Bingaman and Udall in their political campaigns,” Courage Campaign founder and chair Rick Jacobs said in a statement. “It’s time for both senators to end second class citizenship for gay and lesbian couples who serve in our military, teach our kids, nurse us back to health and live next door, but are barred from Social Security benefits, visas for legally married bi-national couples, survivor benefits in the military and paying their fair share in taxes.”
The action came after a post on the Democracy for New Mexico blog, a Democratic clearinghouse of sorts, noted that neither New Mexico senator was a cosponsor of a bill authored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., that would repeal DOMA. The bill is called the Respect for Marriage Act.
Democracy New Mexico is run by Barbara Wold and Mary Ellen Broderick, a lesbian couple that have been together for 18 years.
“We moved to New Mexico 18 years ago because we knew its residents and representatives were fair-minded people,” the couple said in a statement. “We voted for, volunteered for, donated to, and blogged for Sens. Bingaman and Udall for years. Now we’d like the same support back.”
Hajra Shannon
Reviewer
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