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BREAKING: President Obama endorses the Respect for Marriage Act
July 19, 2011
By Adam Bink
Whatta day.
This morning, we held an emotional press conference in a packed media room at the National Press Club with Sen. Feinstein and three couples who commuted to DC to tell their stories. It was just incredible. I’ll have more on that later.
Then, we got word from the White House that President Obama would heed the call of over 25,000 Courage Campaign members (the text of our call to President Obama can be found here) and formally endorse the Respect for Marriage Act. Why is this a big deal? Because the White House rarely, if ever, endorses legislation that hasn’t passed a house of Congress… and this one hasn’t even passed committee yet. It underscores the urgency of this issue, and it also generates huge momentum to our efforts to bring more Senators on board. How many pro-LGBT Senators are going to let President Obama be ahead of them on this?
Below is Courage Campaign’s statement.
And please, chip in to support this work. We’re getting this done and we need your support for the long-haul!
STATEMENT BY
RICK JACOBS, COURAGE CAMPAIGN CHAIR
on
PRESIDENT OBAMA’S DECISION TO SUPPORT
REPEAL OF THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACTWe are delighted that today, on the eve of a historic Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, President Obama endorsed the Respect for Marriage Act. It is rare that a White House endorses a bill that has yet to pass first in either the Senate or the House. President Obama’s decision to do so underscores the urgency with which the Defense of Marriage Act must be repealed. His support makes clear to all Americans that the Defense of Marriage Act has no place in our society.
Earlier this month, over 25,000 Courage Campaign members signed a letter asking the President to support this legislation. At a White House reception on June 29, the President indicated to me that he would endorse the bill. His exact words to me were, “I support repeal of DOMA. You know where I stand.”
This morning, Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor to the President, called me referring to my conversation with the president to say that today was the day and that Jay Carney would announce the White House’s support for the bill. The members of the Courage Campaign are thrilled.
Courage Campaign is a grassroots, online organization empowering 700,000 people to push for progressive change, including LGBT equality. Since Courage Campaign partnered with Sen. Feinstein to introduce the Respect for Marriage Act on March 16, 2011, its members have targeted Sens. Klobuchar, Kohl, Udall of New Mexico, and Bingaman, asking them to support the Respect for Marriage Act. All four have agreed to do so. Over 54,000 people have joined our ongoing campaign to convince more Senators that the time has come for DOMA to go. Courage Campaign has also launched a network of volunteer field captains (totaling 75 captains in 43 states) who are working at the grassroots level to repeal DOMA.
Update: Full exchange from today’s White House press briefing courtesy of Metro Weekly:
Metro Weekly: The president has said in the past that he opposes the Defense of Marriage Act, but he is yet to endorse the Respect for Marriage Act, which is the specific piece of legislation –
Carney: Senator [Dianne] Feinstein [(D-Calif.)], yeah.
Metro Weekly: — aimed to repeal the bill. Tomorrow, the Senate will hold the first hearing into that bill. Is the administration ready to endorse that bill?
Carney: I can tell you that the President has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people — our families, friends and neighbors. He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Sen. Feinstein and Congressman [Jerrold] Nadler [(D-N.Y.)], which would take DOMA off the books once and for all. This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples.
Update 2: Video:
Filed under: DOMA Repeal
33 Comments Leave a Comment
1.
Ann S. | July 19, 2011 at 11:40 am
Woot! And I will be making another contribution.
2.
Adam Bink | July 19, 2011 at 11:44 am
Oh, thanks Ann.
3.
New | July 19, 2011 at 11:45 am
Did we get more co-sponsors?
4.
Kathleen | July 19, 2011 at 11:45 am
Fantastic news! Well done, Rick, Adam and everyone who worked so hard on this.
5.
Bryce | July 19, 2011 at 11:50 am
Mazel tov!!!
6.
rick jacobs | July 19, 2011 at 11:55 am
It's mazel tov to all of us. We are a community. One of the couples who traveled to DC today for the press conference, asked friends to help out with their travel expenses. They raised all of the money in hours. Everyone around them knew how important it was for them to be present today. Now let's move this from 29 to 60!
7.
ĶĭŗîļĺęΧҲΪ | July 19, 2011 at 11:57 am
"Evolve already!" read bumper stickers addressing President's "evolving position" on same-sex marriage. And evolve he did. The government doesn't want to be involved in unnecessary litigations concerning DOMA anymore, hence the President's endorsement. Congratulations to everyone on this new important step on the way to full equality for gay and lesbian people in the United States!
8.
Ronnie | July 19, 2011 at 12:00 pm
Awesome……
subscribing & sharing…….
Cynthia Nixon Reflects On Marriage Equality, Drums Support For Pro-Equality Politicians http://instinctmagazine.com/blog/cynthia-nixon-re…
Cynthia Nixon was with her family and some friends after speaking at the Pride service at New York’s gay synagogue, Congregation Beit Simchat Torah, doing what New Yorkers do when she received the news that Marriage Equality passed. She was standing on a subway platform getting the news via a complete stranger's BlackBerry.
"They called out to us, we cheered, and others did too. Somebody offered to take a picture to commemorate the moment, and it’s such a great shot: all different ages, down in the subway, looking so proud and so, well, New York-y."
I haven't read the full op/ed but I wanted to share the link & that little bit……….. <3…Ronnie
9.
AnonyGrl | July 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm
This is fantastic news!!! I am speechless!
10.
Jim | July 19, 2011 at 12:05 pm
It's great that Pres Obama will endorse this legislation. HOWEVER, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that it has zero chance on passing in the republican controlled House. But this endorsement of the legislation may further help chances of defeating DOMA in the courts.
11.
aquaCA | July 19, 2011 at 12:10 pm
This is fantastic!!!! It looks like he did evolve!
DADT in its last breath and now the endorsement from our President to repeal DOMA. I'm so proud of him and of you all!
BTW, I made a contribution 5 minutes ago.
12.
Bob | July 19, 2011 at 12:11 pm
Thanks for the hand up, Mr. President,,,,,,,
13.
Gregory in SLC | July 19, 2011 at 12:21 pm
tears of hope (and frustration) running freely…
14.
Adam Bink | July 19, 2011 at 12:22 pm
Not yet, but hopefully this will encourage more. We're certainly going to be letting Senators know about it.
15.
Lodi Gal | July 19, 2011 at 12:25 pm
Wonderful news.
16.
DaveP | July 19, 2011 at 12:59 pm
Excellent!! Thank you Courage Campaign and everyone who helped make this happen (including Obama)!
17.
Alan_Eckert | July 19, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Great news!
18.
Mark M. (Seattle) | July 19, 2011 at 1:45 pm
One more step forward
19.
Ronnie | July 19, 2011 at 2:11 pm
The New York Post's profile on Bill White & Bryan Eure (who got some advice from Prince William earlier this month In Los Angeles)
This will be the first same-sex wedding at the Four Seasons in September with 600 quests including some high profile names.
Here is the video….. <3…Ronnie:
[youtube ETFfs3pNWgo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETFfs3pNWgo youtube]
20.
Adam Bink | July 19, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Updated with video of the White House briefing, folks.
21.
LCH | July 19, 2011 at 2:22 pm
Sweeeet!
♀♀=♂♂=♀♂=∑♡
22. President Obama endorses &hellip | July 19, 2011 at 2:35 pm
[...] Adam Bink points out: Why is this a big deal? Because the White House rarely, if ever, endorses legislation that [...]
23.
Alan_Eckert | July 19, 2011 at 2:51 pm
See how DOMA and DADT affect gay service members and the lengths they have to go to try and get equal benefits.
"Retired sailor, partner admit marriage scam for benefits" http://hamptonroads.com/2011/07/retired-sailor-pa…
24.
Sarah | July 19, 2011 at 3:12 pm
I certainly did not see this coming! People can argue about whether this is a political move entirely, which it likely is at least in part, but regardless of the motives, I would say this is BIG. And, what thing the President does is not political? I think this took courage, both politically and personally, for Obama, and I commend him for it.
I am interested to read more of your comments, thoughts and other odds & ends! I am so glad I found y'all and love so much sharing in the conversations.
25.
aquaCA | July 19, 2011 at 8:37 pm
I apologize if this has been posted already (I'm up to my eyeballs with links :p), but I believe we may be able to follow the hearing through webcast:
http://www.judiciary.senate.gov/hearings/hearing….
26.
Straight Ally #3008 | July 19, 2011 at 10:07 pm
You're right, I was about to post as much. But you know what, let those members of Congress put their mark on the wrong side of history for all to see. The efforts in New York failed the first time, too, and public opinion keeps shifting to the side of marriage equality. It will be a moot point if DOMA falls in the courts, of course.
27.
Carpool Cookie | July 19, 2011 at 10:17 pm
Nice! I'm glad he won't have to tiptoe around the issue during debates….should make for some very stirring statements : )
28.
Str8Grandmother | July 20, 2011 at 3:32 am
That is a good comment CC
29.
Str8Grandmother | July 20, 2011 at 3:34 am
Really inspiring video Ronnie. Real uplifting. Look how HAPPY these 2 guys are. What is so wrong about that??
30.
Str8Grandmother | July 20, 2011 at 3:36 am
Yes we CAN!
YES WE CAN!!!
OBAMA!
OBAMA!
OBAMA!
31. Reason Morning Links: FBI&hellip | July 20, 2011 at 6:04 am
[...] Obama endorses the Respect for Marriage Act. [...]
32. Reason Morning Links: FBI&hellip | July 20, 2011 at 9:03 am
[...] Obama endorses the Respect for Marriage Act. [...]
33. Prop 8 Trial Tracker &raq&hellip | July 24, 2011 at 9:24 am
[...] in New York (made possible by Republicans acquiescing to give it to him). And of course, now a Presidential endorsement of the Respect For Marriage [...]
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