Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
Target:
President Barack Obama
Sponsored by:
President Barack ObamaThe White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington DC, 20500
Dear Mr. President,
The 2008 election represented a historic step forward in the fight for equal rights in the United States of America. Although this election served as a testament to the hard work of countless individuals who sacrificed so-much for the cause of civil rights, it also served as chilling reminder of the persistence of discrimination in American Society. As you are most certainly aware, three states, California, Florida and Arizona, passed legislation that prevented Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual citizens from being afforded the plethora of legal rights of marriage. The systematic denial of over fifteen hundred legal rights to a specific group of people, based on nothing more than their sexual orientation or gender identity, represents discrimination at its most elementary and is fundamentally incompatible with the values and ideas that the United States was founded upon.
Yet, we fear that this discrimination has been institutionalized at both the state and federal levels. The Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419) specifically prohibits the federal government of the United States from affording the rights of marriage to any same sex marriages, even if they are recognized or were conducted by a state. Furthermore, the law allows for other states to not recognize same sex marriages, even if they were legally performed and recognized in other states, a concept that is antithetical to the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US constitution.
While we understand that there are many other important issues that must be addressed promptly, such as the ailing state of the economy and a multitude of overseas conflicts, we believe that the preservation of freedom for all citizens is one of the most important duties the constitution assigns the office of President. We therefore request that you work to promptly repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and insist that all states treat citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, equally.
Dear Mr. President,
The 2008 election represented a historic step forward in the fight for equal rights in the United States of America. Although this election served as a testament to the hard work of countless individuals who sacrificed so-much for the cause of civil rights, it also served as chilling reminder of the persistence of discrimination in American Society. As you are most certainly aware, three states, California, Florida and Arizona, passed legislation that prevented Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual citizens from being afforded the plethora of legal rights of marriage. The systematic denial of over fifteen hundred legal rights to a specific group of people, based on nothing more than their sexual orientation or gender identity, represents discrimination at its most elementary and is fundamentally incompatible with the values and ideas that the United States was founded upon.
Yet, we fear that this discrimination has been institutionalized at both the state and federal levels. The Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419) specifically prohibits the federal government of the United States from affording the rights of marriage to any same sex marriages, even if they are recognized or were conducted by a state. Furthermore, the law allows for other states to not recognize same sex marriages, even if they were legally performed and recognized in other states, a concept that is antithetical to the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US constitution.
While we understand that there are many other important issues that must be addressed promptly, such as the ailing state of the economy and a multitude of overseas conflicts, we believe that the preservation of freedom for all citizens is one of the most important duties the constitution assigns the office of President. We therefore request that you work to promptly repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and insist that all states treat citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, equally.
President Barack ObamaThe White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NWWashington DC, 20500
Dear Mr. President,
The 2008 election represented a historic step forward in the fight for equal rights in the United States of America. Although this election served as a testament to the hard work of countless individuals who sacrificed so-much for the cause of civil rights, it also served as chilling reminder of the persistence of discrimination in American Society. As you are most certainly aware, three states, California, Florida and Arizona, passed legislation that prevented Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual citizens from being afforded the plethora of legal rights of marriage. The systematic denial of over fifteen hundred legal rights to a specific group of people, based on nothing more than their sexual orientation or gender identity, represents discrimination at its most elementary and is fundamentally incompatible with the values and ideas that the United States was founded upon.
Yet, we fear that this discrimination has been institutionalized at both the state and federal levels. The Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419) specifically prohibits the federal government of the United States from affording the rights of marriage to any same sex marriages, even if they are recognized or were conducted by a state. Furthermore, the law allows for other states to not recognize same sex marriages, even if they were legally performed and recognized in other states, a concept that is antithetical to the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US constitution.
While we understand that there are many other important issues that must be addressed promptly, such as the ailing state of the economy and a multitude of overseas conflicts, we believe that the preservation of freedom for all citizens is one of the most important duties the constitution assigns the office of President. We therefore request that you work to promptly repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and insist that all states treat citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, equally.
Dear Mr. President,
The 2008 election represented a historic step forward in the fight for equal rights in the United States of America. Although this election served as a testament to the hard work of countless individuals who sacrificed so-much for the cause of civil rights, it also served as chilling reminder of the persistence of discrimination in American Society. As you are most certainly aware, three states, California, Florida and Arizona, passed legislation that prevented Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual citizens from being afforded the plethora of legal rights of marriage. The systematic denial of over fifteen hundred legal rights to a specific group of people, based on nothing more than their sexual orientation or gender identity, represents discrimination at its most elementary and is fundamentally incompatible with the values and ideas that the United States was founded upon.
Yet, we fear that this discrimination has been institutionalized at both the state and federal levels. The Defense of Marriage Act (Public Law No. 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419) specifically prohibits the federal government of the United States from affording the rights of marriage to any same sex marriages, even if they are recognized or were conducted by a state. Furthermore, the law allows for other states to not recognize same sex marriages, even if they were legally performed and recognized in other states, a concept that is antithetical to the Full Faith and Credit clause of the US constitution.
While we understand that there are many other important issues that must be addressed promptly, such as the ailing state of the economy and a multitude of overseas conflicts, we believe that the preservation of freedom for all citizens is one of the most important duties the constitution assigns the office of President. We therefore request that you work to promptly repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and insist that all states treat citizens, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, equally.
We signed the "Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act" petition!
# 68:
6:22 pm PST, Nov 5,
Mekeah Penny, California
# 67:
4:50 pm PDT, Oct 25,
Carole Hagen, Oregon
# 66:
5:58 pm PDT, Oct 19,
Miss Francis Ryan, Canada
We have lots of room for LGBTI in Nova Scotia Canada, and from early on... gay marriage has been OK here, with tollerance then supporting legislation; Your company would be nice here. Lots of space. I have transitiond male to transsexual-woman with no problems. I hope you get the legislation you want. It will come sooner, if influential people have to figure out what to do concerning their scheduled children's transgendering(nullification)- legitamising doctor's drug addiction pain care, (with Rx: LAAM, Bupenorphine, Suboxone, no--Methadone please which shuffles feet, for Heroin addiction; & Serratonin-, Adrenaline-, Dopamine- reuptake inhibitors) for cocain addiction, treatment-inducement post transitionally... as opposed to imprissonment. In Truro... and this is the key... lawyers arranged a dowery for transgender bride of son, who would live with boy who was then girl, a form of marriage... becoming legitamised so no one would notice or remember the social issue being addressed. Legislative vanity? I think fair. I see things from a differnt perspective than transgenderd would, Transsexuals can do without incumbrance, what any hetrosexual would do in "GID sex correction"= gender. LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT HURT PEOPLE. Defense of Marriage Act descriminates against everyone & I no longer regard myself as christian. Time for a change.
We have lots of room for LGBTI in Nova Scotia Canada, and from early on... gay marriage has been OK here, with tollerance then supporting legislation; Your company would be nice here. Lots of space. I have transitiond male to transsexual-woman with no problems. I hope you get the legislation you want. It will come sooner, if influential people have to figure out what to do concerning their scheduled children's transgendering(nullification)- legitamising doctor's drug addiction pain care, (with Rx: LAAM, Bupenorphine, Suboxone, no--Methadone please which shuffles feet, for Heroin addiction; & Serratonin-, Adrenaline-, Dopamine- reuptake inhibitors) for cocain addiction, treatment-inducement post transitionally... as opposed to imprissonment. In Truro... and this is the key... lawyers arranged a dowery for transgender bride of son, who would live with boy who was then girl, a form of marriage... becoming legitamised so no one would notice or remember the social issue being addressed. Legislative vanity? I think fair. I see things from a differnt perspective than transgenderd would, Transsexuals can do without incumbrance, what any hetrosexual would do in "GID sex correction"= gender. LEGISLATION SHOULD NOT HURT PEOPLE. Defense of Marriage Act descriminates against everyone & I no longer regard myself as christian. Time for a change.
# 65:
9:46 pm PDT, Oct 8,
Noah Reisman, New York
# 64:
5:29 am PDT, Oct 3,
Name not displayed, North Carolina
# 63:
11:45 am PDT, Sep 28,
Pam DeLitta, Texas
# 62:
8:52 pm PDT, Sep 25,
Cutter Wolf, Florida
# 61:
9:08 pm PDT, Sep 14,
Amanda Amagrande, Arizona
# 60:
12:36 pm PDT, Aug 26,
Robert Baker, Illinois
# 59:
7:05 pm PDT, Aug 22,
Jason Begley, Ohio
# 58:
10:51 pm PDT, Aug 17,
GLENN BROWN, Nebraska
# 57:
8:12 am PDT, Aug 3,
Tony K Boatright, Georgia
I am a straight man with no vested interest in this topic other that as a matter of personal freedom. I believe any two people who desire to commit to each other should have that opportunity. To say you can have a civil union but not a marriage is hypocrisy. I support personal freedom and I view this as an important freedom of choice issue.
I am a straight man with no vested interest in this topic other that as a matter of personal freedom. I believe any two people who desire to commit to each other should have that opportunity. To say you can have a civil union but not a marriage is hypocrisy. I support personal freedom and I view this as an important freedom of choice issue.
# 56:
1:40 pm PDT, Jul 29,
Tony Naaman, Texas
# 55:
6:56 pm PDT, Jul 28,
Sarah McConnaughey, Nevada
# 54:
12:20 pm PDT, Jul 22,
Carole Blakey, Washington
# 53:
10:01 am PDT, Jul 22,
Starling Carter, Virginia
# 52:
7:28 pm PDT, Jul 20,
JennyLynn Werner, Arizona
As an Arizonan, I consider our state legislation to be a complete embarrassment to any sentient, thoughtful and caring adult. I'm offended and I'd like the sane and mature people at the Federal level to overturn the Federal Defense of Marriage Act permanently because I cannot count on the people in my state to do the right thing regarding basic equality. My rights and my marriage are inextricably tied to the rights and marriage rights of all others. Please make this horrible and disgusting situation right by repealing this awful legislation. It's right up there with "separate but equal" and it tarnishes all of us and our nation. Thanks for your time.
As an Arizonan, I consider our state legislation to be a complete embarrassment to any sentient, thoughtful and caring adult. I'm offended and I'd like the sane and mature people at the Federal level to overturn the Federal Defense of Marriage Act permanently because I cannot count on the people in my state to do the right thing regarding basic equality. My rights and my marriage are inextricably tied to the rights and marriage rights of all others. Please make this horrible and disgusting situation right by repealing this awful legislation. It's right up there with "separate but equal" and it tarnishes all of us and our nation. Thanks for your time.
# 51:
8:20 pm PDT, Jul 16,
Stephanie Rawling, New York
# 50:
4:14 am PDT, Jul 14,
Simon Robson, United Kingdom
# 49:
6:17 am PDT, Jul 10,
Sherie Hayden, Canada
# 48:
8:28 pm PDT, Jul 9,
Jennifer Wiggins, Nebraska
# 47:
6:30 am PDT, Jul 9,
Ira Gayll Zamudio, Philippines
# 46:
3:40 pm PDT, Jul 8,
Matilda Ignacio, California
# 45:
9:20 am PDT, Jul 8,
Zachary Shahan, Florida
# 44:
11:31 pm PDT, Jul 7,
Pati Lynn, Washington
If one of your daughter's turns out to be gay, you would want this for them.
If one of your daughter's turns out to be gay, you would want this for them.
# 43:
3:14 pm PDT, Jul 7,
Name not displayed, New Jersey
Mr. President, before I met my girlfriend, I was another average straight teenager. I chatted about the latest boy in my life with friends, I could talk to my parents about dates and other activities, etc. My mother would show me her wedding video and tear up at the thought of me one day having the same happiness in my life. Then, I fell in love in the most unexpected fashion. I fell in love with another female. I had learned about "the gay struggle" through friends chatting with eachother, but boy was I clueless.  When she and I go out, she is scared to hold my hand, hug me, etc. Couples all around us hug, laugh and have a good time (even you and first lady Obama on date night share this same joy, I am sure.) They even get to sit at the Zales around the corner from the movie theater and pick out wedding rings and invitations for their beautiful wedding to be. But not us, because of descrimination, lack of education, and hipocrasy on the highest level in the governement of the united states of America.  My girlfriend and I wish for respect and a life without worry and fear for our futures both apart and together. I think all people have right to a life without fear of descrimination and a life lived under a constitution and government that is not hipocritical and remains true to it's word and foundations. The process of this country healing itself from this hipocrasy began long ago with the settlers who came to the new world to seek refuge from and and descrimination, African Americans such as Douglass Adams and others later on, women were freed from the bonds of being subordinates to men, immigrants came from vountries where they could nit support their families because yhrir class was descriminated against. The  dream for freedom and it's continuation looks promising for all communities. But, it seems as if the march onward has come to a breif halt and has back  tracked a bit due to contradictions only the federal government can recognize and correct. I wish not to take the beleifs away from the people who put the legislature in place initially, but to establish that we are people, citizens, and equals to all others who coexist with us. Mr. President, I beg of you, show the world, show us all that a free united states of America still lives, "with liberty, and justice, for all."  the American dream should not be dulled by the same documents and governments that gave life to it in the first place.  You have the power, the influence and the title necessary to save hundreds of thousands of lives from descrimination now and many generations come.  In order to truely be united under the American flag, and to live a fully free life under the republic for which that flag stands, ALL people need to have an equal share in that freedom. Yours truely, -Sarah Trachtenberg East Brunswick, New Jersey P.s. I hope you read this petition in it's etirety and that you heed it's every word and sentiment. I also hope that you hear this story as sappy and unprofessional as it may be, but I feel that it is true for many and much worse for many more. So please, take this into consideration: please tend to more urgent things like the very ill economy or patching relationships with foreign countries first, buy don't forget us, the people who live in the country you have chosen to take responsibility for. We voted for you, fought for you and beleive in you. Don't forsake us or forget us or lose us in whatever rushes you experience in the white house. The world awaits your attention, now go be all that you can be, to the best of your ability. I support you.
Mr. President, before I met my girlfriend, I was another average straight teenager. I chatted about the latest boy in my life with friends, I could talk to my parents about dates and other activities, etc. My mother would show me her wedding video and tear up at the thought of me one day having the same happiness in my life. Then, I fell in love in the most unexpected fashion. I fell in love with another female. I had learned about "the gay struggle" through friends chatting with eachother, but boy was I clueless.  When she and I go out, she is scared to hold my hand, hug me, etc. Couples all around us hug, laugh and have a good time (even you and first lady Obama on date night share this same joy, I am sure.) They even get to sit at the Zales around the corner from the movie theater and pick out wedding rings and invitations for their beautiful wedding to be. But not us, because of descrimination, lack of education, and hipocrasy on the highest level in the governement of the united states of America.  My girlfriend and I wish for respect and a life without worry and fear for our futures both apart and together. I think all people have right to a life without fear of descrimination and a life lived under a constitution and government that is not hipocritical and remains true to it's word and foundations. The process of this country healing itself from this hipocrasy began long ago with the settlers who came to the new world to seek refuge from and and descrimination, African Americans such as Douglass Adams and others later on, women were freed from the bonds of being subordinates to men, immigrants came from vountries where they could nit support their families because yhrir class was descriminated against. The  dream for freedom and it's continuation looks promising for all communities. But, it seems as if the march onward has come to a breif halt and has back  tracked a bit due to contradictions only the federal government can recognize and correct. I wish not to take the beleifs away from the people who put the legislature in place initially, but to establish that we are people, citizens, and equals to all others who coexist with us. Mr. President, I beg of you, show the world, show us all that a free united states of America still lives, "with liberty, and justice, for all."  the American dream should not be dulled by the same documents and governments that gave life to it in the first place.  You have the power, the influence and the title necessary to save hundreds of thousands of lives from descrimination now and many generations come.  In order to truely be united under the American flag, and to live a fully free life under the republic for which that flag stands, ALL people need to have an equal share in that freedom. Yours truely, -Sarah Trachtenberg East Brunswick, New Jersey P.s. I hope you read this petition in it's etirety and that you heed it's every word and sentiment. I also hope that you hear this story as sappy and unprofessional as it may be, but I feel that it is true for many and much worse for many more. So please, take this into consideration: please tend to more urgent things like the very ill economy or patching relationships with foreign countries first, buy don't forget us, the people who live in the country you have chosen to take responsibility for. We voted for you, fought for you and beleive in you. Don't forsake us or forget us or lose us in whatever rushes you experience in the white house. The world awaits your attention, now go be all that you can be, to the best of your ability. I support you.
# 42:
8:21 am PDT, Jul 7,
Shannon Diana, California
# 41:
6:35 am PDT, Jul 7,
Mira Shahan, Florida
# 40:
2:51 pm PDT, Jul 6,
Keziah Richards, Washington
# 39:
6:09 am PDT, Jul 6,
Sadie Roosa, Maryland
# 38:
5:55 pm PDT, Jul 5,
Sarah Jacobs, Massachusetts
# 37:
4:55 pm PDT, Jul 5,
Judith Penhiter, Minnesota
# 36:
4:36 pm PDT, Jul 5,
Annie-Macrae Rosenberg, Connecticut
# 35:
4:11 pm PDT, Jul 5,
Paula Schoenwether, Florida
I am disappointed that Pres. Obama is taking so long to give us full citizenship.
I am disappointed that Pres. Obama is taking so long to give us full citizenship.
# 34:
9:04 am PDT, Jul 5,
Susan Shewan, Canada
# 33:
8:44 am PDT, Jul 5,
Larry Mages, California
Mr. President, it is time to honor your campaign commitments. Thank you.
Mr. President, it is time to honor your campaign commitments. Thank you.
# 32:
|
6:39 am PDT, Jul 5,
Edward Willis, Florida
BAN ALL GAY MARRIAGES IN THIS COUNTRY,FINE THOSE THAT ALLOW IT. |
# 31:
11:44 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Cheyenne Martin, California
I think everyone has the right to be married and if they want to agree to love someone forever no matter what thats their choice.
I think everyone has the right to be married and if they want to agree to love someone forever no matter what thats their choice.
# 30:
10:11 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Geoffrey Gibbons, Florida
# 29:
5:58 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Rick Youssef, Australia
I believe that if anyone can sort out this human rights mess in the US, you can Mr President. Please provide the leadership the rest of the world needs on this issue.
I believe that if anyone can sort out this human rights mess in the US, you can Mr President. Please provide the leadership the rest of the world needs on this issue.
# 28:
3:17 pm PDT, Jul 4,
DANA POULSON, Oklahoma
# 27:
2:07 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Name not displayed, Hawaii
Please, kokua, Mr. President. Show the Aloha Spirit.
Please, kokua, Mr. President. Show the Aloha Spirit.
# 26:
1:38 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Angie Namenuk, California
# 25:
1:16 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Zoe Grieder, Massachusetts
# 24:
10:37 am PDT, Jul 4,
Siobhan McDonald, New Jersey
# 23:
9:09 am PDT, Jul 4,
Morgan Vinyard, Massachusetts
# 22:
4:03 am PDT, Jul 4,
Sigrid De Ruyck, Canada
# 21:
2:42 am PDT, Jul 4,
Steve Klein, Virginia
# 20:
8:31 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Elizabeth Glass, Connecticut
# 19:
5:54 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Michelle Gonzalez, Florida
# 18:
4:57 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Gabriella Spitz, New Jersey
# 17:
1:35 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Sarah Clark, California
Having laws on our books that codify discrimination is unconscionable!
Having laws on our books that codify discrimination is unconscionable!
# 16:
1:16 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Brittaney McEachin, Michigan
# 15:
12:12 pm PDT, Jul 3,
Kristen Nash, California
# 14:
11:29 am PDT, Jul 3,
Sandra Lorenzen, Washington
Please repeal the Defense of Marriage act. It discriminates against Gay and Lesbian people. Any discrimation against a group that causes no harm to anyone should not be supported by the Federal Goverment.
Please repeal the Defense of Marriage act. It discriminates against Gay and Lesbian people. Any discrimation against a group that causes no harm to anyone should not be supported by the Federal Goverment.
# 13:
11:09 am PDT, Jul 3,
Rachel Feltman, New Jersey
We're ready for that Change, Mr. President.
We're ready for that Change, Mr. President.
# 12:
10:52 am PDT, Jul 3,
Isaac Gabriel Salgado, Massachusetts
# 11:
10:36 am PDT, Jul 3,
Cynthia Stimpson, Washington
Mr. President. We love you and respect you. I hope you can return the favor to all who are GLBT, as soon as your schedule permits you to take up this cause!
Mr. President. We love you and respect you. I hope you can return the favor to all who are GLBT, as soon as your schedule permits you to take up this cause!
# 10:
9:49 am PDT, Jul 3,
Name not displayed, Massachusetts
In about twenty or thirty years, people will look back and wonder what the big deal was.
In about twenty or thirty years, people will look back and wonder what the big deal was.
# 9:
9:42 am PDT, Jul 3,
Abigail Nehring, Massachusetts
# 8:
9:18 am PDT, Jul 3,
Colleen Marshall, Massachusetts
# 7:
8:47 am PDT, Jul 3,
Barbara Appelbaum, New York
# 6:
6:53 am PDT, Jul 3,
David N Moore, Connecticut
# 5:
11:32 pm PDT, Jul 2,
Mieke Bernaards, Belgium
# 4:
9:46 pm PDT, Jul 2,
Pam Boland, Georgia
# 3:
9:35 pm PDT, Jul 2,
Name not displayed, Delaware
# 2:
6:51 pm PDT, Jul 2,
Denise Leduc, Canada
# 1:
6:01 pm PDT, Jul 2,
James Krellenstein, New York
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