tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7331361569911408612.post3432696802486470910..comments2024-03-27T17:21:24.219-04:00Comments on OUTTAKE BLOG™: US Senate to Address Gay MarriageCharlotte Robinsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13409719695261294226noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7331361569911408612.post-44269318942453753572011-11-08T08:51:50.785-05:002011-11-08T08:51:50.785-05:00DOMA is an enormous obstacle to equality for same-...DOMA is an enormous obstacle to equality for same-gender couples and their families, denying them key marriage benefits and imposing harsh, unfair economic burdens. They are deprived of crucial Social Security survivor benefits after a spouse passes away. They cannot file joint federal income taxes, and they cannot take unpaid leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act. Some couples are torn apart by the deportation of a non-citizen spouse forced to return to his or her home country.<br /><br />Because of DOMA, gay or lesbian service members – who finally serve openly, because we repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" – will lose veterans spousal benefits, including the right of the spouse to be buried in a national cemetery. The law insists on treating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans as inferior. <br /><br />The Respect for Marriage Act would erase this inequity by sending DOMA to join other discriminatory statutes like "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and segregation-era policies. And Thursday's markup is a monumental leap in the right direction – a day when our allies and foes alike need to hear from us. I've been fighting for this legislation every day for the last eight months, and now we've reached this critical moment. I need your help in building momentum for this vital legislation. We need 50,000 signers in the next 48 hours. Sign HRC's petition now – it'll be delivered in person on Capitol Hill alongside thousands of other petitions.<br /><br />Senator Dianne Feinstein, Democrat of CaliforniaSenator Dianne Feinsteinhttp://www.hrc.org/issues/marriagenoreply@blogger.com