• Relationships & Family > Marriage & Relationships

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) by a bipartisan vote of 267-157. The bill repeals the disgraceful Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) – ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 – and codifies additional federal legal protections for the marriages of same-sex couples, transgender people, and interracial couples. The bill has the strong support of President Biden.

“NCLR applauds the House of Representatives for removing the discriminatory and unconstitutional Defense of Marriage Act from our nation’s statutes,” said Imani Rupert-Gordon, NCLR Executive Director. “While the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA a decade ago, today’s action by the House to repeal it sends a strong message that our nation must move beyond targeting LGBTQ people for political gain. In this moment of political polarization, it is heartening to see bipartisan support for the fundamental principles of equality and security for all families. We urge the Senate to follow suit and swiftly pass the bipartisan Respect for Marriage Act and send it to President Biden’s desk for his signature.”

“Today’s House vote will provide security and peace of mind for LGBTQ people nationwide,” added Julianna Gonen, NCLR Federal Policy Director. “We also call on the Senate to follow the House and pass nondiscrimination protections to ensure that LGBTQ people are protected and respected in all aspects of our lives.”

xxx

The National Center for Lesbian Rights (NCLR) is a national legal organization committed to advancing the human and civil rights of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community through litigation, public policy advocacy, and public education. Since its founding, NCLR has maintained a longstanding commitment to racial and economic justice and the LGBTQ community’s most vulnerable. www.nclrights.org