This article was written by Colby Itkowitz of the Call Washington Bureau and features Angela D. Giampolo, Philly Gay Lawyer. If anything were to happen to Scott Nichols, his 11-year-old adopted son would receive benefits, like his Social Security, but Nichols’ partner of 15 years would not. That’s unlikely to change for the Philadelphia couple,…
Category: DOMA
DOMA Repeal Is Good Business for LGBT Families
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) as a federal law that defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman; its existence prevents same-sex couples from being legally recognized as married by the federal government and enjoying more than 1,138 federal rights. The Supreme Court now has the opportunity to rectify this injustice by…
DOMA: Which road will the Supreme Court choose?
November 30 came and went. December 3 came and went. The U.S. Supreme Court’s next and final conference of the year to consider the pending Defense Against Marriage Act appeals will take place today, Dec. 7. There have never been so many equality cases before the Supreme Court at one time — six total. While…
Immigration and LGBT Platforms – United or Divided?
Immigration and LGBT Platforms – United or Divided? The modern gay rights and current immigration movements may seem like two dissimilar issues; however, the two issues have much more in common than what initially meets the eye. The push for human dignity, respect, and equality under the law are dominant themes underlying both minority movements….
Obama and Attorney General Holder Challenge DOMA
Obama and Attorney General Holder Challenge DOMA The Obama Administration has taken another progressive steps towards equality that has LGBT rights advocates feeling like a victory has been won. On February 23, 2011, President Obama declared Section 3 of DOMA [Defense of Marriage Act] unconstitutional and stated that the Department of Justice would no longer…