Gay-rights groups blast admin. brief

Posted: Friday, June 12, 2009 3:27 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Barack Obama

From NBC's Mark Murray
Gay-rights groups, such as the Human Rights Campaign, are criticizing the Obama administration for filing a brief in California court that defends the Defense of Marriage Act -- which Barack Obama promised to repeal while running for president.

“The Administration apparently determined that it had a duty to defend DOMA in the courts. The president has just as strong a duty to put his principles into action, and end discrimination against LGBT people and our families,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “We call on the President to send legislation repealing DOMA to Congress,” he added.

This is the latest administration move that has irked gay-rights groups, which also have questioned Obama's commitment to overturning "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and complained when he picked Rev. Rick Warren to deliver to deliver the prayer at Obama's inauguration.

A Justice Department spokesman said that administrations typically defend, in court, the laws on the books -- even ones they disagree with. "The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system." (Hat tip: Ben Smith.)

Indeed, the DOJ spokesman points to this standard on defending statutes: "Executive Branch agencies will enforce federal statutes unless they are clearly unconstitutional and the Department of Justice will defend statutes against constitutional attack whenever reasonable arguments can be made in their defense."

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Comments

The list of promises Obama has broken is long. This is just another one added to the list. Obama is in serious danger of losing the left-wing loon crowd that voted for him. He's adopted most every Bush policy for his foreign policy, he won't release the toture photos, and he's turning on the gay crowd, blacks and gays don't really mix well anyway.

Asking and Telling (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:36 PM)

The STATE of California has decided the matter. Whining to the President (telling daddy on them) is rather foolish. If those supporting gay marriage don't like the California Supreme Court ruling they need to do what is necessary to change the hearts and minds of California voters through the iniative process with a constitutional amendment in the state like in other states. This is strictly a state by state matter and not one for the federal government to be involved in.

eagle1776 (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:37 PM)

What did you say ???

Gay groups do what to Obama's Briefs???

Dave Letterman could have a field day with that headline - but he wont - it dosen't say anything about little girls!

BoBo the Prez (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:37 PM)

On this issue and DADT I think Obama has been TERRIBLE. He needs to keep his word

Nj (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:37 PM)

I do wish the Pres would do something about don't ask don't tell. Then again, I wonder how our troops feel about this? Some say don't do it on here. What say you troops?

cindy, las vegas, nv (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:39 PM)

..... blacks and gays don't really mix well anyway.
Asking and Telling (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:36 PM)

Congratulations, you get the "Most Stupid Post of the Day" award.

J. Ellis, Virginia (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:40 PM)

New Indi - Eric....

Diplomacy and reason seem to be denying them the support of their former allies at the UN.

The only ally North Korea has is China, and maybe Iran. We don't see the Chinese lifting a finger to stop the North Koreans. Now does the US have any leverage to compele China to do anything for the US, seeing the US is in debt (literally) to the Chinese bondholders?

NK is as isolated from the rest of world as anyone has ever been. So what great diplomacy and reason are you talking about?

Erik Martin, Illinois (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:42 PM)

This is great. Nobody seriously believes that Obama is against gay marriage any more than we believed Clinton was FOR the death penalty. But, like Clinton, he has to lie about his positions to get mainstream people to vote for him. It's great to see the left ripping each other over such a trivial issue. You know Obama wants to end his charade but he can't. LOL

P. Robertson, Coral Gables, FLA (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:46 PM)

From NBC's Mark Murray--A Justice Department spokesman said that administrations typically defend, in court, the laws on the books -- even ones they disagree with. "The president has said he wants to see a legislative repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act because it prevents LGBT couples from being granted equal rights and benefits. However, until Congress passes legislation repealing the law, the administration will continue to defend the statute when it is challenged in the justice system." (Hat tip: Ben Smith.)

Please understand the law before you jump the gun. DADT went before the Supreme Court, it wasn't a law that could easily be overturned by the stroke of a pen by the President. I too support gay rights but I am also asking that the leaders of the organizations and various other parties get their facts stright before they jump the gun.

Understanding of the laws in place, governing branches and how they work deserves fairness in thought. The President has often stated that he doesn't approve of "Gay Marriage" but he does approve of Civil Unions.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:47 PM)

Obama needed to the gay and lesbian voting faction so he pandered to them. The little that we actually know about Obama's history would tell us that he's probably not too sympathetic with this movement. He was raised in Muslim and Christian households. Muslims in particular despise homosexual behavior. He attended Jeremiah Wright's church for many years and if you think he's a bigot towards jewish people, you should see his statements about gays.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:49 PM)

This is where it's time for some REAL advocacy on a specific issue (not like the TEABAGGINGS which were all over the place). We can start by posting our grievances directly to the president.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/

Let the President know how you feel and tell him to keep his promises to the LGBT community. OVERTURN DOMA AND DADT.

http://jawillie.blog.com

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:53 PM)

the doublespeak from the DOJ is mind boggling.

However, during the campaign I did warn that Obama's speeches were lofty, but said nothing concrete. This was deliberate, so as to allow his hearers to read into the words what they wanted to hear. He could then point out that he had never said he would do 'x'. In fact, since his inauguration, he has not even had to go that far; his worshippers do it for him.

He COULD have addressed Don't Ask, Don't Tell immediately had he s desired-he had the political capital to spend. The fact that he did not is telling.

Mandated health insurance, taxes on insurance policies, his betrayal of the Gay community, nationalization of banks and the auto industry, czars, czars, and more czars-how much more can you excuse, before you wake up?

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:55 PM)

Well Obie, you've got something in common with the original Miss California, who has been harrassed by the left ever since she gave her opinion, gracefully, of what marriage is.

Now Trump is over-run with those left-wing zealots and caved. He's weak all over.

Bad Chihuahua (Sent Friday, June 12, 2009 3:56 PM)

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