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PFLAG Denounces the Department of Justice's Arguments Supporting DOMA

Posted on: Friday, 12 June 2009, 16:42 CDT

Organization Urges the Administration to Repeal the Defense of Marriage Amendment

WASHINGTON, June 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) National expressed deep disappointment and strong opposition to the Department of Justice's recent arguments regarding the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the dismissal of a lawsuit filed on behalf of a gay couple who married in California.

"Since DOMA's enactment in 1996, PFLAG has vocally opposed this blatant and malicious law, which enables legal discrimination against our gay and lesbian loved ones and denies them the right to protect their families and receive equal treatment under the law," said Jody M. Huckaby, executive director of PFLAG. "We are deeply offended by the DOJ's recent arguments and alarmed by the hurtful language that further denigrates our families and friends."

"PFLAG continues to urge President Obama to explore options to repeal this immoral and unethical law that leaves our families and friends unprotected and unequal. DOMA hurts our families and friends by denying them more than 1,100 federal benefits legally recognized married couples currently receive from the federal government. When families are hurt, communities are weakened and all of America suffers. In the name of basic equality and fairness, we ask that the Administration fulfill its commitment to advancing equality for LGBT Americans by acting immediately to overturn this law," Huckaby concluded.

PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons, their families and friends through: support, to cope with an adverse society; education, to enlighten an ill-informed public; and advocacy, to end discrimination and to secure equal civil rights. Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays provides opportunity for dialogue about sexual orientation and gender identity, and acts to create a society that is healthy and respectful of human diversity. Learn more at www.pflag.org.

SOURCE Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

Source: PR Newswire

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