Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders Supports Respect for Families Act
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With the filing today of the DOMA repeal bill, the “Respect for Families Act”, Lee Swislow, Executive Director of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders issued the following statement of support:
Our view is that every branch of government should be engaged in the process of getting rid of this discriminatory law. Every day we see the damage DOMA causes families in the states, denying them access to the federal safety net, penalizing them financially, and rendering them second-class. We need to engage all levels of government in ending this discrimination.
Along with dozens of other groups, GLAD has signed a letter of support for the bill. The letter is being delivered to members of Congress today.
On behalf of eight Massachusetts married same-sex couples and three widowers, GLAD filed Gill et al v OPM et al in March of this year, challenging Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. The Department of Justice’s response to GLAD’s amended complaint is due this Friday, September 18, 2009.
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Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders is New England's leading legal organization dedicated to ending discrimination based on sexual orientation, HIV status, and gender identity and expression.