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We were absolutely thrilled to hear the announcement just over a month ago from the United States Attorney General that the Obama administration will stop defending in court the discriminatory federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, which prohibits the federal government from recognizing legal marriages of same-sex couples. But we were very disappointed to hear at the same time that the government will continue enforcing DOMA—and discriminating against married same-sex couples—while DOMA remains in effect.
As part of our ongoing efforts to advocate for the end of DOMA, the National Center for Lesbian Rights is looking for stories from married same-sex couples in California who are negatively affected by the federal government’s refusal to recognize their marriage. The benefits that the federal government denies to married same-sex couples because of DOMA can include:
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Spousal Social Security benefits
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Veteran’s benefits
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Medicare or Medi-Cal
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Taxation of healthcare benefits for a spouse
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Other federal income tax rules benefiting spouses
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Time off from work under the federal Family Medical Leave Act to take care of a sick spouse
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Health benefits for spouses of federal employees
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Social Security death benefits
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Immigration Protections
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And hundreds more rights, benefits, and responsibilities
If you or someone you know is married to a person of the same sex in California, and have been negatively affected by the federal government’s refusal to recognize your marriage, please contact NCLR and share your story. You can call or email us at:
English and Mandarin: Ming Wong at MWong@NCLRights.org or 800-528-6257 x323 (email preferred)
Spanish/Español: Dena Zaldua-Hilkene at DZalduaHilkene@NCLRights.org or 800-528-6257 x303 (email preferred/ email preferido)
Arabic: Muna Hawatmeh at MHawatmeh@NCLRights.org or 800-528-6257 x333
Thank you! Together, we will bring down DOMA once and for all.
Sincerely,
Kate Kendell, Esq.
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights
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