National
Nadler pushes DOMA repeal, despite recent court rulings
Says legislative action needed to fully fix inequities
Rep. Jerrold Nadler is calling for legislative repeal of DOMA in the wake of court rulings against the law. (Blade file photo by Michael Key)
A New York Democrat leading the charge against the Defense of Marriage Act in Congress is stressing the need for legislative action against the anti-gay law despite a string of victories in the courts.
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.) told the Washington Blade on Monday that legislation to repeal DOMA — the Respect for Marriage Act, which he sponsors in the U.S. House — may offer married same-sex couples greater flexibility with federal benefits as opposed to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down the statute.
“The recent series of affirmative rulings in federal court give us a clear indication of where DOMA is ultimately headed, but we don’t know if a Supreme Court decision would be enough to ensure federal recognition of same-sex marriages,” Nadler said. “We need to pass the Respect for Marriage Act because its certainty provision would enable legally married same-sex couples to receive federal recognition no matter which state they move.”
In addition to repealing DOMA, the Respect for Marriage Act, has a “certainty provision” that would allow married same-sex couples to retain federal benefits of marriage — including certain Social Security benefits, immunity from the estate tax and the ability to jointly file income taxes — even if these couples marry in one state and to move to another that doesn’t recognize same-sex marriage.
Nadler added the need to pass the Respect for Marriage Act “is one of the many reasons” why LGBT rights supporters need to work to re-elect President Obama, who’s endorsed the legislation, and put Democrats back in control of the House. The latter will be a tall order to fill because political observers expect Democrats may make some gains, but will likely fall short of the 25 seats needed for them to regain a majority.
The New York lawmaker spoke to the Washington Blade following a New York City meeting at Gay Men’s Health Crisis with LGBT advocates — including Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) and lesbian New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn — in which participants discussed ways to advance marriage equality and federal benefits for gay couples.
That meeting took place just days after the U.S. Second Circuit of Appeals became the second federal appellate court to rule against DOMA in the case of Windsor v. United States and the first appellate court to apply heightened scrutiny in determining the law is unconstitutional. The Windsor lawsuit — along with three others — is pending review before the U.S. Supreme Court. Justices haven’t yet made an announcement on whether they’ll take up the lawsuits, but are expected to take up at least one of the cases to make a nationwide ruling on DOMA.
Jon Davidson, legal director at Lambda Legal, concurred that passage of the Respect for Marriage Act would afford greater certainty for married same-sex couples that wouldn’t necessarily be granted after a court ruling.
“Even if the court upholds one or more of the four holdings that Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional in the four DOMA cases the court already has been asked to hear, Rep. Nadler is correct that the bill would help bring certainty to many same-sex couples that it may otherwise take years to sort out,” Davidson said.
Davidson said many federal laws aside from DOMA consider a couple legally married based on the state where the couple wed, but others such as tax law generally look to the state where the couple resides.
“The Respect for Marriage Act would solve this potentially confusing situation by making clear that the federal government would treat same-sex couples who got married in a jurisdiction that allowed it to be considered married for all federal purposes,” Davidson said.
Davidson, whose organization is responsible for one of the DOMA challenges called Golinksi v. Office of Personnel Management, added the legislation is also important in case the Supreme Court reaffirms DOMA because in that event, legislative repeal of the law would be “the only recourse” for opponents of the law.
Fred Sainz, vice president of communications for the Human Rights Campaign, said a Supreme Court ruling overturning DOMA would be “historic and huge,” but Nadler is right that Congress must move forward with the Respect for Marriage Act — largely because the law originated in Congress.
“The act will ensure that the federal government cannot treat same-sex couples as second-class citizens regardless of where they live in the country,” Sainz said. “It was Congress that enacted the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, and it is Congress that should take the step to guarantee that gay and lesbian families will no longer be denied recognition by the federal government.
Mary Bonauto, civil rights attorney for Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, which is responsible for the Gill v. Office of Personnel Management case against DOMA, said via email she appreciates Nadler’s work to repeal DOMA in Congress, but litigation can afford more immediate relief.
“If we win in court, that would return us to the ordinary rules by which the federal government respects state determinations of marital status,” Bonauto said. “I would be happy to have Congress eliminate the problems it created in 1996, but in the meantime, the courts provide the most direct route to relief.”
Federal Government
US Census Bureau testing survey on LGBTQ households
Agency proposing questions about sexual orientation and gender identity
The U.S. Census Bureau is seeking public comment on a proposed test of sexual orientation and gender identity questions on the American Community Survey. The test would begin this summer and continue into next year.
The Census Bureau published the request as a Federal Register notice. In its press release the agency noted that the ACS is an ongoing survey that collects detailed housing and socioeconomic data. It allows the Census Bureau to provide timely and relevant housing and socioeconomic statistics, even for low levels of geography.
As part of the process for adding new questions to the ACS, the Census Bureau tests potential questions to evaluate the quality of the data collected.
The Census Bureau proposes testing questions about sexual orientation and gender identity to meet the needs of other federal agencies that have expressed interest in or have identified legal uses for the information, such as enforcing civil rights and equal employment measures.
The test would follow the protocols of the actual ACS — with one person asked to respond to the survey on behalf of the entire household. These particular questions are asked about people 15 years of age or older. Households are invited to respond to the survey online, by paper questionnaire or by phone.
The current Federal Register notice gives the public a final opportunity to provide feedback before the Census Bureau submits its recommendations to the Office of Management and Budget for approval. The public may provide feedback through May 30 online.
The White House
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
Nancy Pelosi is also among this year’s honorees
Beloved LGBTQ advocate Judy Shepard is among the 19 honorees who will receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian award in the U.S., the White House announced on Friday.
The mother of Matthew Shepard, who was killed in 1998 in the country’s most notorious anti-gay hate crime, she co-founded the Matthew Shepard Foundation with her husband Dennis to raise awareness about anti-LGBTQ violence.
The organization runs education, outreach, and advocacy programs, many focused on schools.
In a statement shared via the Human Rights Campaign, Shepard said, “This unexpected honor has been very humbling for me, Dennis, and our family. What makes us proud is knowing our President and our nation share our lifelong commitment to making this world a safer, more loving, more respectful, and more peaceful place for everyone.
“I am grateful to everyone whose love and support for our work through the years has sustained me.
“If I had the power to change one thing, I can only dream of the example that Matt’s life and purpose would have shown, had he lived. This honor reminds the world that his life, and every life, is precious.”
Shepard was instrumental in working with then-President Barack Obama for passage of the landmark Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009, which was led in the House by then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who will also be honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom during the ceremony on Friday.
Also in 2009, Shepard published a memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew: My Son’s Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed,” and was honored with the Black Tie Dinner Elizabeth Birch Equality Award.
“Judy Shepard has been a champion for equality and President Biden’s choice to honor her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom is a testament to what she’s done to be a force of good in the world,” HRC President Kelley Robinson said in a statement.
“A mother who turned unspeakable grief over the loss of her son into a decades-long fight against anti-LGBTQ+ hatred and violence, Judy continues to make a lasting impact in the lives of the LGBTQ+ community,” she said.
“It is because of her advocacy that the first federal hate crimes legislation became law and that countless life-saving trainings, resources and conversations about equality and acceptance are provided each year by the Matthew Shepard Foundation,” Robinson said. “We are honored that Judy is a member of the HRC family and know that her work to create a more inclusive and just world will only continue.”
Other awardees who will be honored by the White House this year are: Actor Michelle Yeoh, entrepreneur and former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Jesuit Catholic priest Gregory Boyle, Assistant House Democratic Leader Jim Clyburn (D-S.C.), former Labor and Education Secretary and former U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), journalist and former daytime talkshow host Phil Donahue, World War II veteran and civil rights activist Medgar Evers (posthumous), former Vice President Al Gore, civil rights activist and lawyer Clarence B. Jones, former Secretary of State and U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), former U.S. Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) (posthumous), Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky, educator and activist Opal Lee, astronaut and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center Ellen Ochoa, astronomer Jane Rigby, United Farm Workers President Teresa Romero, and Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe (posthumous).
National
United Methodist Church removes 40-year ban on gay clergy
Delegates also voted for other LGBTQ-inclusive measures
The United Methodist Church on Wednesday removed a ban on gay clergy that was in place for more than 40 years, voting to also allow LGBTQ weddings and end prohibitions on the use of United Methodist funds to “promote acceptance of homosexuality.”
Overturning the policy forbidding the church from ordaining “self-avowed practicing homosexuals” effectively formalized a practice that had caused an estimated quarter of U.S. congregations to leave the church.
The New York Times notes additional votes “affirming L.G.B.T.Q. inclusion in the church are expected before the meeting adjourns on Friday.” Wednesday’s measures were passed overwhelmingly and without debate. Delegates met in Charlotte, N.C.
According to the church’s General Council on Finance and Administration, there were 5,424,175 members in the U.S. in 2022 with an estimated global membership approaching 10 million.
The Times notes that other matters of business last week included a “regionalization” plan, which gave autonomy to different regions such that they can establish their own rules on matters including issues of sexuality — about which international factions are likelier to have more conservative views.
Rev. Kipp Nelson of St. Johns’s on the Lake Methodist Church in Miami shared a statement praising the new developments:
“It is a glorious day in the United Methodist Church. As a worldwide denomination, we have now publicly proclaimed the boundless love of God and finally slung open the doors of our church so that all people, no matter their identities or orientations, may pursue the calling of their hearts.
“Truly, all are loved and belong here among us. I am honored to serve as a pastor in the United Methodist Church for such a time as this, for our future is bright and filled with hope. Praise be, praise be.”
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Comings & Goings
Pride season has begun
4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
Judy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
New World Bank US executive director: LGBTQ rights are human rights
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a&e features4 days agoPride season has begun
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Federal Government5 days ago4th Circuit rules gender identity is a protected characteristic
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The White House1 day agoJudy Shepard to receive Presidential Medal of Freedom
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World4 days agoNew World Bank US executive director: LGBTQ rights are human rights