Marriage Rates Have Dropped 20% Since DOMA
We know “death panels” are a lie. Pity we don’t have them for immoral laws. DOMA and DADT would be on the list. But there is hope. “The Respect for Marriage Act,” a bill repealing 1996’s Defense of Marriage Act — which outlaws federal recognition of same-sex marriages, and allows states to neither recognize nor legalize same-sex marriage — was introduced today in the U.S. House of Representatives. The Washington Blade reports,
“Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), and Jared Polis (D-Colo.) are the lead co-sponsors of the measure along with Reps. John Lewis (D-Ga.) and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). The bill would also provide same-sex couples with federal benefits and protections from a valid marriage from a state where same-sex marriages are legal if the couple moves or travels to another state, according to the Human Rights Campaign.”
DOMA, The Defense of Marriage Act, is an assault on same-sex couples, any individual who might one day hope for a same-sex union, and, ironically, perhaps, on the actual institution of marriage itself. If there ever were a “death panel,” DOMA should be its target. “Traditional marriage” proponents – those who decry any attempt that would allow same-sex couples the benefits, rights, and responsibilities of legal, civil marriage, are fighting hard to “protect marriage.” But their fight is at best, misguided. The Maggie Gallaghers and Brian Browns of this world, who fill their personal coffers with beggings begot of fear and hatred, then use the leftovers to pay for media campaigns that unleash their bigotry on those Americans willing to buy it, aren’t protecting marriage. And marriage, as an institution, is in trouble. The decline in rates of marriage are staggering. Simply put, the rate of couples marrying declined 13.5% from 2000 to 2008. But long-term it’s much more drastic: From 1950 to 2008, the rate of marriage declined 36%. These numbers do not even examine divorce rates. Maggie Gallagher’s National Organization for Marriage, (a misnomer if there ever were,) sent an “Urgent Alert” today, doing what NOM does best: instill fear and hatred, and then ask to be paid for it. (And paid handsomely she is!) In the email, Brian Brown, NOM’s Executive Director, says,
“Marriage isn’t about inside-the-Beltway opportunism, or scoring political points. It’s about honesty and integrity. Protecting children and religious liberty.”
Well, not exactly, Brian. You see, marriage is about love and respect. Marriage is about building. Building trust, a family, a future. Together. The Defense of Marriage Act has nothing to do with defending marriage. If it did, it would have found ways for couples to build successful lives and families together. It would have created programs and opportunities that would have reversed the decline – that 36% decline – of people getting married. And, it would have reduced the rate of divorce. It has done none of this. In fact, the rate of marriage in the U.S. has dropped almost 20% since DOMA was enacted. Bill Clinton, who signed DOMA into law in 1996, favors its repeal, saying,
“Thirteen years later, the fabric of our country has changed, and so should this policy.”
Despite what “traditional” marriage supporters would have you think, marriage, as an institution has changed. Think about marriages in 1950. Think about marriages today. There are few similarities. Except, for example, these (I’m sure you can think of a few others):
- Couples want to live together
- Couples want to support each other (“in sickness and in health”)
- Couples want to share their lives with each other
- Couples want to build a future together
All of which apply to same-sex couples who want to marry, but legally cannot. Whatever your personal views on marriage, it’s important that everyone have the legal right to marry if they choose. The time for full marriage equality is now. Show DOMA the death panel. Support The Respect for Marriage Act.
Sources: CDC: National Marriage and Divorce Rate Trends CDC: National Vital Statistics Reports (image: Zolk)