What if a state line decided the legal status of your marriage? To most married couples in the United States the thought alone would seem obscure, however, 1 percent of our country continues to live under such standards.
In fact, since 1996, when President Bill Clinton created the Defense of Marriage Act to preserve marriage as a legal union exclusively between man and woman, the federal government has been restricted to accept same-sex marriages. This law also prevents same-sex couples from securing Social Security spousal benefits, filing joint taxes and other federal rights of marriage.
It was not until recently that President Barack Obama opened the discussion about repealing The Defense of Marriage Act in hope of progressing gay rights rather than restricting them. After all, the aura of hope and progress President Obama created for himself not only inspired a nation suffering from the burden of an undetermined war but also gave hope to those who still remained suppressed in a country that preaches anything is possible.
Therefore, it is no surprise gay right activists as well as gay American citizens grew frustrated with the Obama administration's sharp reversal on the subject. In June, the U.S. Justice Department filed a brief defending DOMA against a constitutional challenge, contradicting Obama's campaign promise to repeal the Act. The government chose to keep the act intact because it believed awarding federal marriage rights to gays would intrude on the rights of taxpayers who lived in non-supporting states.
In reaction, Democratic Representatives Jerrold Nadler of New York, Jared Polis of Colorado and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin are in the process of passing The Respect for Marriage Act, which would fully repeal DOMA. They currently have 88 members of Congress behind them.
Within the next few weeks, the U.S. will see whether The Respect for Marriage Act passes. If this happens, gay couples planning to get married could be recognized by the government and by each state.
It is safe to say President Barack Obama, who recently won the Noble Peace Prize for his progression in foreign affairs, represents progress, change and hope in a country once divided by skin color. About 150 years ago our states were identified solely based on whether they were free or slave states. African-Americans, as well as many other ethnic groups in our country, have prospered and regained the rights they deserve over time.
However, the question I want to bring up is why in 2009 are our states still segregated based on our differences? After basing an entire campaign on hope and becoming the United States' first African-American president, refusing to repeal DOMA is turning a back not only on progress and equality, but also on everything Obama stands for.
Deciding who you want to spend the rest of your life with is a basic human right and a deeply personal decision. President Obama has exemplified our nation's progress, however, he is retreating into the shadows of discrimination himself by refusing to repeal DOMA.
Chloe Esposito esposic@muohio.edu
