Gay Rights Groups to Obama: Repeal DOMA

Obama's decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in court was welcomed by the gay community, but many wish he had gone further.

The Obama administration's decision to stop defending the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in federal court was welcomed by the gay community, to be sure, but many activists still have reservations. Those FrumForum talked to seemed either exasperated by what they consider a half-measure, or disappointed with the effort this achievement required.

Dan Choi, a gay rights activist famous for his discharge from the military under Don't Ask, Don't Tell, told FrumForum that the change in stance was "a victory", but that the decision reminded him of all the progress that could have been made had the administration made such a move sooner.

"The new stance would have been unequivocally historic if it were published in 2009 or 2010 as it could have then certainly fueled momentum for a full legislative repeal by a Democrat bicameral majority. It also would have saved many disappointments (including mine) if Obama and Holder used less rancid arguments about bestiality and gay inferiority in their incendiary DOJ DOMA briefs these past two years. Same goes for DADT appeals," Choi said. "I'm disappointed we have to fight this hard and call it a victory. Even if Obama said he supports full marriage equality, he'd only be returning to his 1996 views."

The Log Cabin Republicans, a right-of-center gay group, was critical of the move. R. Clarke Cooper, the executive director of the group, told FrumForum that the change in stance does not go far enough because DOMA legislation remains intact.

"The Obama Justice Department decision to not pursue DOMA cases does not remove the statute. This decision is a political diversionary tactic to drive public attention away from the economy, the potential government shutdown and the administration's anemic efforts to protect US interests abroad," said Cooper.

Cooper urged that DOMA be repealed, saying that "DoMA [is] an assault on federalism and the principle of equality under the law. As conservatives and federalists, we have long encouraged legislative repeal of the law."

Another conservative group representing gays, GOProud, told FrumForum that they supported the repeal of DOMA, but had no further comment besides an explanation on their position. "We believe states should be free to make decisions regarding marriage and family laws without the intervention of the federal government. The decisions of each individual state should be respected by the federal government. This is the essence of federalism. Accordingly, we support the repeal of DOMA," said Chris Barron, the chair of conservative group GOProud.

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