As a member of Congress, Patrick Murphy fought to end the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy restricting gays from openly serving in the military. Despite the formal repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell in September of 2011, many of soldiers considered good enough to risk their lives in defense of the country still seem to be considered second class when it comes to marriage laws. This is due to Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage to be between a man and a woman for the purposes of all federal benefits. No fewer than eight federal courts have held that this provision is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court will hear a challenge to its constitutionality at the end of this month.
On DOMA, the public is clear: they don't like it. The White House itself has even come out against it. Over a hundred high-profile Republicans–including Ken Mehlman and Steve Schmidt, the architects of George W. Bush's 2004 and John McCain's 2008 presidential campaigns–have publicly opposed it.
Despite all of this, the fate of many military families rests in the hands of the Supreme Court. If the Court upholds DOMA, many gay couples won't be able to file a joint tax return, and won't be eligible for federal spousal benefits and many of the benefits given to same-sex couples.
Click here to read the entire article.
Previously published on MSNBC
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
