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November 10, 2011
Repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act: Statement
by New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle
III
“Our nation today moved a step closer to ending discrimination
against lesbian and gay Americans. We applaud the Senate Judiciary
Committee for voting to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
“Its repeal continues to be a top priority of the New York
State Bar Association.
“Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont
should be commended for advancing DOMA’s repeal. We also recognize
U. S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten E. Gillibrand, co-sponsors
of the repeal bill, for their strong advocacy on behalf of their fellow
New Yorkers.”
DOMA, enacted in 1996, prohibits the federal government from
recognizing the marriages of same-sex couples who legally wed in New
York. As a result, they are denied an array of federal benefits
and protections granted to other married couples. For example, they
cannot file joint income tax returns, transfer an estate to a spouse
without tax consequences or receive spousal Social Security
benefits.
DOMA also permits other states to disregard same-sex marriages
legally conducted in New York, five other states and the District of
Columbia.
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The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the
largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
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