Arguments Against DOMA
Defense of Marriage Act
The purpose of this paper is to provide a history and overview of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Next, I will analyze the impact that this policy has had on LGBTQ individuals. Finally, this paper will review support and opposition to the bill, which will conclude with personal views regarding this issue.
History and Overview
In 1993, Hawaii state government ruled that prohibiting same-sex marriage violated equal protections defined by the Hawaii Constitution (Pelts, 2014). In response, Rob Barr introduced DOMA to nationally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman on May 7, 1996. In September 1996, DOMA became federally recognized by President Bill Clinton after undergoing voting from the House and Senate. Under DOMA, marriage is defined as a “union between one man and one woman as husband and wife and spouse of the opposite sex” (Pelts, 2014, p.238). In addition to the federal definition of marriage, DOMA also allows individual states to invalidate same-sex marriages performed in other states (Koppelman, 1997). In 2011, …show more content…
However, I personally lean towards opposition against DOMA. Though I can understand the ties that marriage has to religious institutions, I agree with President Barack Obama’s conception that there can be both religious and civil version of marriage (Pelts, 2014), which means that marriage does not have to have religious affiliation. Additionally, as a future mental health professional, it is my responsibility and goal to take care of the wellbeing of all my clients. Given that there is a strong relationship between recognition of same-sex marriage and public health, it makes sense that I would favor the side which would allow for decreases in stress responses. Additionally, opposition to DOMA allows for inclusion of same-sex couples for federal benefits such as social security, tax breaks, and health
The purpose of this paper is to provide a history and overview of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Next, I will analyze the impact that this policy has had on LGBTQ individuals. Finally, this paper will review support and opposition to the bill, which will conclude with personal views regarding this issue.
History and Overview
In 1993, Hawaii state government ruled that prohibiting same-sex marriage violated equal protections defined by the Hawaii Constitution (Pelts, 2014). In response, Rob Barr introduced DOMA to nationally define marriage as a union between a man and a woman on May 7, 1996. In September 1996, DOMA became federally recognized by President Bill Clinton after undergoing voting from the House and Senate. Under DOMA, marriage is defined as a “union between one man and one woman as husband and wife and spouse of the opposite sex” (Pelts, 2014, p.238). In addition to the federal definition of marriage, DOMA also allows individual states to invalidate same-sex marriages performed in other states (Koppelman, 1997). In 2011, …show more content…
However, I personally lean towards opposition against DOMA. Though I can understand the ties that marriage has to religious institutions, I agree with President Barack Obama’s conception that there can be both religious and civil version of marriage (Pelts, 2014), which means that marriage does not have to have religious affiliation. Additionally, as a future mental health professional, it is my responsibility and goal to take care of the wellbeing of all my clients. Given that there is a strong relationship between recognition of same-sex marriage and public health, it makes sense that I would favor the side which would allow for decreases in stress responses. Additionally, opposition to DOMA allows for inclusion of same-sex couples for federal benefits such as social security, tax breaks, and health