The Department of Justice recently filed a brief in federal court arguing strongly against the Defense of Marriage Act.
The file acknowledged the discrimination against gays and lesbians caused by DOMA and urged an appeals court not to dismiss the case ruling it unconstitutional. This comes after President Obama announced he will no longer defend DOMA.
In the brief the department makes its case “in terms unparalleled in previous administration statements,” Metro Weekly notes. The filing acknowledges that “gays and lesbians have been subject to a history of discrimination” in which “the federal government has played a significant and regrettable role.” It says that because of this history, courts should apply a high level of scrutiny to laws that discriminate against this group. It also calls sexual orientation an “immutable characteristic.”
Read more about it at the Advocate.com article linked above.
This is fantastic. Support at the federal level is eagerly welcomed, especially this kind of support. Before too long, we’ll bring DOMA down.