DOMA STRUCK DOWN AND PROP. 8 SHOWS THAT PROPONENTS HAVE NO STANDING

In a victory for gay rights advocates and a legal win for Attorney General Martha Coakley, the U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act as unconstitutional, a ruling that means thousands of families in Massachusetts will no longer be denied Social Security, medical benefits and other protections tied to marriage laws.
“This ruling is a victory for equality and civil rights for all,” Coakley said in a statement. “By striking down DOMA, the highest court has ensured that married same-sex couples are treated equally under federal law.”

In a statement released as he spends time in California with family, Gov. Deval Patrick said, “By affirming the principle that people come before their government as equals, today's Supreme Court decision striking down DOMA is a win for the American people. I applaud the Court's decision on Prop 8 in California as well. Freedom includes keeping government out of people’s most personal and intimate choices, and affirming human dignity. Today's decisions do that.”

 





The Libertarian Party applauds the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision today to strike the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law that discriminates against non-heterosexual marriages.
The Libertarian Party has supported marriage equality since its founding in 1971.
"The Republican Party has never supported marriage equality," said Laura Delhomme, 2013 Libertarian candidate for delegate in Virginia. "Democrats, despite their alleged support of civil liberties, only added a reference to same-sex marriage to their party platform in 2012 — when it became politically convenient."
DOMA was pushed through by a GOP-led Congress and signed by a Democratic president.
"This is a landmark victory for personal freedom," said Geoffrey J. Neale, chair of the Libertarian National Committee. "The Democrats and Republicans who have advanced, defended, and let stand government intrusion into the private contracts and choices of consenting adults will be remembered for their inhumanity on this issue."
Ending DOMA means that the federal government will recognize the legal marriages of same-sex couples in states that recognize marriage equality. This is a good first step toward ending government discrimination that has affected millions of Americans.
Libertarian candidates have long rallied for marriage equality. This year, Robert Sarvis, Libertarian Party of Virginia candidate for governor, along with Delhomme and several other candidates for legislature, have vowed to press for recognition of same-sex marriage in Virginia.
Libertarian candidates in New Jersey, the only other state that is holding legislative races this year, are also calling for marriage equality.
"Same-sex couples are denied the right to marry because the governor vetoed the marriage equality bill that would have guaranteed their civil rights," said Ken Kaplan, Libertarian for governor in New Jersey. "I will sign such a bill."
The Libertarian Party platform states that "Sexual orientation, preference, gender, or gender identity should have no impact on the government's treatment of individuals, such as in current marriage, child custody, adoption, immigration or military service laws."
A recent poll from ABC News/Washington Post shows that 58 percent of Americans support marriage equality, a rapid change from just a decade ago, when only 39 percent supported it. Americans are coming around to the Libertarian view that big government does not belong in our lives, whether it’s our bedrooms or our wallets. [Taken from the Libertarian Party's web page.]

Share |