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GOP Senators File Amicus Brief Supporting DOMA
For immediate release: Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Contact: Zeke Stokes at (202) 621-5406 or zeke@sldn.org
(Washington, DC) Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) today responded to an Amicus Curiae brief filed by ten Republican U.S. Senators in the case Golinski v. Office of Personnel Management. asserting that no harm was intended to LGBT Americans through the passage of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and that the law is the result of a significant government interest in clarifying the federal definition of marriage.
"There is absolutely no national interest in relegating gay and lesbian citizens to second class status with the passage of the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, and to say that no harm was intended to LGBT Americans is absurd at best. At worst, it's a blatant and mean-spirited attempt to slow down the progress we are making on securing the freedom to marry for all Americans. I urge these Senators - all of them from states with proud military traditions - to watch the video we released yesterday of a brave service member and his husband; then, justify to the brave gay and lesbian patriots serving this nation in uniform why they should not receive the same respect, recognition, and support as their straight peers," said Army Veteran and SLDN Executive Director Aubrey Sarvis.
Yesterday, SLDN and Freedom to Marry released a new online video featuring Army Captain Stephen Hill and his husband, Joshua Snyder, spotlighting the inequalities forced upon gay and lesbian service members by DOMA. Hill - who drew national support when he was booed during a Republican presidential debate after asking a question via video regarding repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" (DADT) - recently returned from a deployment to the Middle East.
The brief was filed by Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT), Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), Dan Coats (R-IN), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Charles Grassley (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).
ABOUT SLDN: Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) is a non-partisan, non-profit, legal services and policy organization dedicated to bringing about full LGBT equality to America's military and ending all forms of discrimination and harassment of military personnel on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. SLDN provides free and direct legal assistance to service members and veterans affected by the repealed "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law and the prior regulatory ban on open service, as well as those currently serving who may experience harassment or discrimination. Since 1993, our in-house legal team has responded to more than 11,500 requests for assistance. Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender service members with questions are urged to contact the SLDN hotline to speak with a staff attorney: Call 1-800-538-7418 or 202-328-3244 x100.
