Reply #113: Re: DOMA.

[DURHAM D]

I guess you would not of minded the Amendment to the US Constitution that would have been the result if DOMA had not been signed into law. Clinton was advised to sign it by the majority of our community's leaders because of the ugly storm that was brewing. Also, most thought all or part of it would be found unconstitutional sooner or later and taken down in time. And, DOMA passed the Senate with an 85-14 vote.

On the heels of DADT and with many of our Democratic Senators (JFTR - 18 Democratic Senators who voted to repeal DADT in 2010 had voted for DADT in 1993) lined up against the WH (not to mention all of the Repubs) it would have passed the House and Senate very easily. Getting enough states to ratify the new Amendment would have been very easy back then. Actually it would still be easy. I believe that 37 states have passed laws defining marriage as between and man and a woman - more than needed for a federal amendment.

DOMA was signed to buy time. Back in the 90s our community was not able to effectively lobby as they are now at the federal level. If you think DOMA is hard to take down just think about taking down a Constitutional Amendment. I just hope we won't need to find out.