Since 1996, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has prevented same-gender marriages from being recognized as legal on a federal level. The Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 1116/S. 598), currently in Congress, would right this national wrong by repealing DOMA. Please take a moment now to tell your Members of Congress know that you support marriage equality and want to see DOMA repealed.

DOMA defines marriage at the federal level as “only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife,” thus denying same-gender couples (including those married in states where same-gender marriage is legal) the federal recognition and benefits allowed to all other married Americans. This legislation would also amend the federal definitions of marriage and spouses that specify the opposite gender requirement and recognize same-gender marriages federally as legal and valid. However, states would continue to be allowed to define marriage as they see fit and be able to determine what out-of-state marriages to recognize. 

In America’s diverse religious landscape there are many theological positions on same-gender marriage, some of which support the institution and some that oppose the institution.  But the First Amendment’s religious freedom provisions ensure that repealing DOMA and legalizing same-gender marriage will not result in a government imposition of a particular view of marriage on religious institutions, or limit their speech as it relates to marriage. But by passing the Respect for Marriage Act, same-gender couples will no longer be denied equal rights by the government, based on a civil prohibition shaped by one group of Americans’ religious beliefs.

Please take a moment today to tell your Members of Congress that you care about this issue and urge them to support the Respect for Marriage Act. The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at (202) 224-3121, or you can send an e-mail to your Senators and Representative by entering your zip code below.