February 24, 2011
ADL commended the Justice Department's DOMA Statement in a February 24, 2011 letter to Attorney General Holder.
The Honorable Eric H. Holder, Jr.
Attorney General of the United States
United States Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20530-0001
Dear General Holder:
We write to commend you for your statement yesterday announcing that the U.S. Department of Justice believe that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and will no longer defend it in court.
Since its enactment, DOMA has been an unfortunate obstacle to equal access to the benefits of civil marriage for same sex couples, unfairly discriminating against Americans on the basis of their sexual orientation and who they wish to marry. With this important statement, the Obama administration and the Department of Justice have taken a significant step forward in the pursuit of individual liberty and equality for all.
As an organization that supports equal access to civil marriage for same-sex couples, the Anti-Defamation League has actively opposed legislative efforts to refuse to recognize legal same-sex marriages. It is our hope that the judicial and legislative branches will soon reach the same conclusion that you have now reached -- tat the arguments offer to defend DOMA cannot withstand serious constitutional scrutiny.
With all best wishes,
Sincerely,
Robert Sugarman
National Chair
Abraham H. Foxman
National Director