The Obama administration said Wednesday that it will no longer defend the federal law that bans the recognition of same-sex marriage because it considers the legislation unconstitutional, a sudden and rare reversal....
>>>The Obama administration said Wednesday that it will no longer defend the federal law that bans the recognition of same-sex marriage because it considers the legislation unconstitutional, a sudden and rare reversal.
Gay rights groups hailed the administration's move, saying it will bolster their argument that laws that apply a different standard to people based on sexual orientation are unconstitutional. At least three challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act are working their way through the federal courts.
"When the U.S. government takes this position and then is taking it before the courts of the United States, it seems to me that's a powerful argument to add to the mix," said Gary Buseck, legal director for the Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders.
The above is an excerpt from The Washington Post article entitled “In gay rights victory, Obama administration won’t defend Defense of Marriage Act” by Jerry Markon and Sandhya Somashekhar. For the full article, click on link below.
Photo: The Washington Post / The Associated Press
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/23/AR2011022303428.html?hpid=moreheadlines
