From: NGLTF@aol.com
Date: Thu, 11 Jul 1996 16:34:49 -0400
Subject: No on "Defense of Marriage Act"

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PRESS RELEASE
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
2320 17th St. NW; Washington, DC 20009
Contact:  Elise Jimenez (202) 332-6483 ext. 3305
Pager (800) 757-6476
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NGLTF URGES THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES TO VOTE
AGAINST LEGISLATION TO BAN SAME-GENDER MARRIAGE
AND TO SPEAK UP AGAINST INTOLERANCE AND DISCRIMINATION

Washington, D.C., July 11, 1996....The House of Representatives is reportedly
set to begin consideration of the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA)
today, Thursday, July 11.  Under this legislation, H.R. 3396, Congress is
attempting to tell states that they can ignore the Full Faith and Credit
Clause of the U.S. Constitution and not give legal recognition to certain
marriages, in this case same-gender marriages, legally performed in another
state.  H.R. 3396 would also define marriage under federal laws as a union
between a man and a woman.

Same-gender marriages are not legal anywhere in the country and while a
Hawaii trial court may issue a decision on the issue this year, it will go
through an appeals process, which means it is not likely to be finally
settled for another year or two.  DOMA, therefore, addresses a non-existing
issue and it is premature with regard to a final decision by the Hawaii
courts.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF), the nation's oldest national
gay and lesbian civil rights organization criticized the House of
Representatives for even considering this discriminatory, divisive and
unneeded legislation.

The following is a statement attributable to NGLTF's Executive Director,
Melinda Paras:

"Since there is no reasonable basis for this legislation, it is clear that
the issue of same gender marriage is being used as an election ploy by
Right-wing political extremists, and their congressional supporters, to scare
elected officials into supporting a mean-spirited measure.   The political
extremists who have brought this legislation to Congress, and similar
legislation to the states, are the same groups who have previously pushed
anti-gay state and local ballot initiatives and legislation - - groups such
as the Family Research Council, the Traditional Values Coalition and the
Christian Coalition.  Having lost those local and state battles, they have
turned to what they themselves admit is the focus of their political agenda -
a ban on same-gender marriage.  While their agenda has changed, their
anti-gay rhetoric is the same.

"We resent the fact that the leadership of the House of Representatives is
willing to promote the agenda of political extremists whose major goal is to
attack gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities throughout the
country.  At a time when our schools and communities are experiencing a
heightened sense of increase in violent crimes, when the quality of our
drinking water may pose health hazards for those most vulnerable amongst us,
and when access to health care is still not a reality for millions in our
country it is amazing - and disappointing - that our congressional leaders
have decided that it is more important to spend time debating a non-issue,
such as same-gender marriage, than to address issues which are more pressing
to the everyday lives of the people in this country.  In fact, a recent poll
showed that 73% of respondents feel that there are lots of other issues which
are more important than creating a federal statute defining marriage. 

"We urge Members of Congress to take the lead from their state legislative
colleague in the 17 states which have turned back legislation to ban
same-gender marriages.  Even state legislators in Hawaii, where this issue is
most in the forefront, did not adopt a ban on same-gender marriage this year,
after considering such legislation.

"It is time for Congress to stop pandering to Right Wing political extremists
whose primary agenda is to divide society into those who are "good" people
and those who are "bad,"  and those who are "moral" versus those who are
"immoral," according to their narrow definition of these terms.  We urge
House Members to speak up and vote against the intolerance and discrimination
inherent in this legislation." 

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