Obama Administration to Stop Defending the Defense of Marriage Act

The LGBT Democrats of Virginia applaud the Obama Administration’s decision not to have the Department of Justice further defend the Defense of Marriage Act, the 1996 law which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage, and their recognition that the Act is unconstitutional.

Attorney General Eric Holder said President Barack Obama has concluded that the administration cannot defend the Defense of Marriage Act due to the, “numerous expressions reflecting moral disapproval of gays and lesbians and their intimate and family relationships – precisely the kind of stereotype-based thinking and animus the Equal Protection Clause (of the Constitution) is designed to guard against.” Importantly, the President has concluded that “classifications based on sexual orientation should be subject to a more heightened standard of scrutiny.” Because the Defense of Marriage Act cannot meet that standard, it is unconstitutional and therefore indefensible.

The next step for marriage equality is a definitive ruling by the courts that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional. While the Obama Administration will continue to enforce the discriminatory law until such a ruling has been made, the LGBT Democrats of Virginia are confident that, if examined without the prejudices used to enact the law, the courts will rule in favor of marriage equality.

We are proud of the progress our nation has made under a Democratic president, and are proud to be a part of the patchwork of people working together in the Democratic Party to move Virginia, and the nation, forward and offer ALL people a brighter future.

Please do everything you can to volunteer now with your local Democratic City Committee. Get involved and help us work for all of the changes that will make Virginia a better place for all citizens of the Commonwealth. Visit our website, join the LGBT Caucus, and support our PAC. Only by working through your local Democratic organization can we truly realize the change we all want and need.

With Hope for the Future,

– Charley Conrad
Chair, LGBT Caucus
Democratic Party of Virginia

– Tiffany Joslyn
President, Virginia Partisans
The PAC of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia