CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2024 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Democratic senators said Thursday that they oppose a constitutional amendment to preserve the definition of marriage as a man-woman union, saying that the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law defining marriage as such, is not at risk. They were responding to witnesses at a Judiciary Subcommittee hearing who are pushing for an amendment because they believe that DOMA may soon be challenged in court. "No courts have questioned that law.... I don't think anyone has seriously suggested that law is in danger," said Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.). DOMA was passed in 1996. It denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and allows states to ignore same-sex marriages allowed elsewhere. Some politicians, including President Bush, have been concerned that U.S. courts might overturn the federal law. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) said he organized the hearing to determine whether more laws would be needed to strengthen DOMA. He insisted that the hearing was not set up to consider a constitutional amendment. But Democrats said that such an amendment is the ultimate goal of some Republicans. Though no amendment has been proposed in the Senate, such a measure has been introduced in the House. Amendment supporters said at the hearing that a constitutional change is needed to protect children and to help stem the disintegration of the family. Maggie Gallagher, president of the Institute for Marriage and Public Policy, testified that marriage is a key social institution for the protection of children. Other witnesses said it is only a matter of time before the traditional marriage definition is challenged, particularly as states pass laws recognizing gay marriages. The Supreme Court recently struck down a Texas law that made gay sex a crime, overturning an earlier ruling that said states could punish gay men and lesbians for having sex. Among the opponents of an amendment was Keith Bradkowski, the partner of Jeff Collman, an American Airlines pilot who was on the first of the four planes hijacked by terrorists in the September 11 attack. Bradkowski said he had a committed relationship with Collman though they were never legally able to marry. He described the difficulties he encountered in proving his relationship with Collman after his death, such as when he tried to obtain a death certificate. He said the definition of marriage should be left to the states. "Jeff and I only sought to love and take care of each other," he told the committee. "I do not understand why that is a threat to some people."
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Here Are Our 2024 Election Predictions. Will They Come True?
November 07 2023 1:46 PM
Meet all 37 of the queer women in this season's WNBA
April 17 2024 11:24 AM
17 Celebs Who Are Out & Proud of Their Trans & Nonbinary Kids
November 30 2023 10:41 AM
Here Are the 15 Most LGBTQ-Friendly Cities in the U.S.
November 01 2023 5:09 PM
Which State Is the Queerest? These Are the States With the Most LGBTQ+ People
December 11 2023 10:00 AM
These 27 Senate Hearing Room Gay Sex Jokes Are Truly Exquisite
December 17 2023 3:33 PM
10 Cheeky and Homoerotic Photos From Bob Mizer's Nude Films
November 18 2023 10:05 PM
42 Flaming Hot Photos From 2024's Australian Firefighters Calendar
November 10 2023 6:08 PM
These Are the 5 States With the Smallest Percentage of LGBTQ+ People
December 13 2023 9:15 AM
Here are the 15 gayest travel destinations in the world: report
March 26 2024 9:23 AM
Watch Now: The Daily
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Trending stories from our video partner Advocate Channel.
For more videos and shows go to advocatechannel.com.
Latest Stories
How a lesbian's triumph on the Portland Timbers billboard broke barriers
April 24 2024 4:52 PM
‘Faces of Gun Violence’ exhibit unveiled at inaugural survivors’ summit
April 24 2024 4:46 PM
Trans woman Andrea Doria Dos Passos beaten to death in Miami Beach; arrest made
April 24 2024 4:36 PM
TikTok may be banned in the U.S. after Biden signs new law — Why?
April 24 2024 3:43 PM
Serial killer of gay men in New Orleans released after 46 years in prison
April 24 2024 2:16 PM
The 'largest bi+ event in the world' is happening this year. Here's when and where
April 24 2024 12:42 PM
What happens if Donald Trump is jailed for criminal contempt?
April 24 2024 12:22 PM
Megan Rapinoe, Sue Bird, and more urge NCAA to stand up for trans inclusion
April 24 2024 8:00 AM
Over 90% of trans youth live in states pushing anti-trans legislation: report
April 23 2024 10:08 PM