Court Strikes Down Part of DOMA, Adding to NY Marriage Momentum

By Sheilah Sable, Upstate Director of Pride In Action

Yesterday, Judge Joseph L. Tauro of the United States District Court in Boston ruled that the section of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) that bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages is unconstitutional, and that legally married gay and lesbian couples deserve the same federal benefits as heterosexual couples.

While appeals and litigation will continue, this ruling is a boost to marriage equality organizing nationwide, and specifically here in New York State. Full protections for our families are coming. It is not a matter of if, but when. And what we do now will determine how fast that equality will come. From Rochester to Ronkonkoma, our volunteers are getting the job done:

“I signed up new supporters of marriage equality in Rochester at the ‘Laramie Project’ show last month. The more supporters we find, the more power we will have to move (or remove) Senators,” said Shermeeka Mason, a SUNY Brockport student.

“I am out at 6 am signing up straight allies for marriage equality in Ronkonkoma at the Long Island Rail Road station. It’s hard work, but so worthwhile,” said Terri Scofield from Medford, New York.

You can join these volunteers and help bring change to New York State! Volunteer in your local area to grow the movement for marriage.

This ruling is just one more case of laws being reconsidered as more and more people recognize that LGBT families need and deserve the same support that all other families receive. Together, we can make New York the next state to join Massachusetts in winning both state and federal rights and benefits for our families.