Front Door to Marriage -Respect for Marriage Act (RMA)

What do you think the chances are? Could I go to Iowa and get married, but receive Federal benefits in Michigan?

IMHO this bill does not have the chance of a snowball in Hell. I truly wish it would become law, because my spouse and I would immediately travel to Iowa and get married. However, if you think we have had unruly and obnoxious people during the healthcare reform business, just wait until this is being discussed. The far right-wing of this country is really going to be up in arms over this.

RalphB wrote:

IMHO this bill does not have the chance of a snowball in Hell. I truly wish it would become law, because my spouse and I would immediately travel to Iowa and get married. However, if you think we have had unruly and obnoxious people during the healthcare reform business, just wait until this is being discussed. The far right-wing of this country is really going to be up in arms over this.

while waiting is going to get us - what?Nadda.....I agree with your post....when/IF this comes up/is repealed/etc.....there will be BLOOD...seriously....I think far Right Nut jobs will start killinmg LGBT people for thier version of Jesus....its only a matter of time.

We must continue the focus and attention on this - whatever it takes and in any form. I am glad to hear about this DOMA repeal finally coming to the floor. This no longer an UPHILL battle, but rather a DOWNHILL battle ... there will be set backs and bumps along the way, but we are slowly and surely getting there. Continue the fight. Keep hope alive. We all deserve the same rights as our straight counterparts.

there must be bloodshed in america if gay u.s. citizens want to be treated equally by their gov't. when the battle begins, i know what i'll be holding in my hands. my marriage license, and my gun.

gay u.s. citizens, buy a gun. protect your family and yourself.

cockroach = christian = terrorist
terrorist = christian = cockroach

Disgusted American wrote:

<quoted text>while waiting is going to get us - what?Nadda.....I agree with your post....when/IF this comes up/is repealed/etc.....there will be BLOOD...seriously....I think far Right Nut jobs will start killinmg LGBT people for thier version of Jesus....its only a matter of time.

While I still hold out hope that no killing will take place, I will agree that the nut jobs are going to come out. And that will be to our benefit.

Look at what image these birthers, anti Obama and anti health care people are portraying. And while they are the vast minority of the republican party, their fringe antics is what is being associated with the right as a whole.
I would expect nothing less from the anti-gay movement, a fringe reaction that in the end will repulse and anger more people over their views than will convince.
Bottom line is that the best way to defeat a fundie is to let them keep on talking. Eventually they contradict themselves, or they end up being on the 6 o'clock news trying to apologize for their mistress or misappropriation of funds.

Disgusted American wrote:

<quoted text>while waiting is going to get us - what?Nadda.....I agree with your post....when/IF this comes up/is repealed/etc.....there will be BLOOD...seriously....I think far Right Nut jobs will start killinmg LGBT people for thier version of Jesus....its only a matter of time.

For the record, I did not say we should wait, and I did not say I don't want the bill to move forward. I just stated what I believe will happen. And I am ready for that to happen. I am almost 65 years old and the only guns I ever owned were a 22 and a single shot shotgun. I got rid of them years ago when I stopped hunting. Last month I went out and bought a rifle, and I am taking instructions on a handgun now. After I complete that training, I will purchase a handgun. Not becuase I fear widespread unrest leading to an attack on me. I don't. But I also buy health insurance when I am not ill. Just in case.

RalphB wrote:

<quoted text>
. Last month I went out and bought a rifle, and I am taking instructions on a handgun now. After I complete that training, I will purchase a handgun. Not becuase I fear widespread unrest leading to an attack on me. I don't. But I also buy health insurance when I am not ill. Just in case.

Ditto. Got my concealed carry permit this year and don't leave home without it. Not a fan of guns but at same time, will not allow myself to become a victim.

Disgusted American wrote:

<quoted text>while waiting is going to get us - what?Nadda.....I agree with your post....when/IF this comes up/is repealed/etc.....there will be BLOOD...seriously....I think far Right Nut jobs will start killinmg LGBT people for thier version of Jesus....its only a matter of time.

Waiting is going to give us the best chance of passing Hates Crimes, ENDA, and repealing DADT. You throw in a repeal of DOMA now and all that is in jeopardy.

The best chance for a repeal of DOMA is currently working through the federal courts in Massachusetts.

Disgusted American wrote:

<quoted text>while waiting is going to get us - what?Nadda.....I agree with your post....when/IF this comes up/is repealed/etc.....there will be BLOOD...seriously....I think far Right Nut jobs will start killinmg LGBT people for thier version of Jesus....its only a matter of time.

You mean that they are waiting for this?

I'll let the transwoman who was murdered in NYC a few months ago by a religious nut know that her murder was out of sequence.

They haven't waited, and they aren't going to wait. They are already killing us.

WeTheSheeple wrote:

<quoted text>
Waiting is going to give us the best chance of passing Hates Crimes, ENDA, and repealing DADT. You throw in a repeal of DOMA now and all that is in jeopardy.
The best chance for a repeal of DOMA is currently working through the federal courts in Massachusetts.

I agree - its a shame we even have too FIGHT for Rights in 2009...what a disgrace to America. I just have no doubt the nutz will start feeling like they're losing thier so-called Tradional" America when LGBT Americans are Treated Equally...that it somehow impedes on thier Rights????

Sei wrote:

<quoted text>
You mean that they are waiting for this?
I'll let the transwoman who was murdered in NYC a few months ago by a religious nut know that her murder was out of sequence.

They haven't waited, and they aren't going to wait. They are already killing us.

Spare us your misplaced outrage. No one said that transpeople aren't already being disproportionately targeted for violence.

The thrust of the other poster's comment was that an attempt to repeal DOMA will likely foster an upswing in violence against LGBT people more generally, thanks to the anticipated increase in fearmongering from our opponents.

And you knew that was the point, yet you decided to twist it and turn it into something it wasn't, and to make this thread about something else entirely.

I have just about zero patience for this kind of BS. Try seeing the forest instead of being focused solely on your own tree, FFS.

While I'm glad to see some action on DOMA, I hold no illusions that repealing it is going to be quick or easy.

And I do share concerns that pursuing this now could create the kind of distraction that will doom ENDA.

Not that I consider one bill more important than the other, or that I think we can only pursue these things one at a time. If I had a choice in the order, I'd say ENDA first, then the DOMA repeal, then the DADT repeal (though in reality the repeal of DADT might be more immediately achievable than the repeal of DOMA).

It's a question of obtaining the greatest benefit for the largest group, balanced against other factors. Putting ENDA first is a no-brainer to me. It's tempting to say DADT next based on achievability, but that's a matter primarily affecting the individual servicemember, while DOMA affects entire families. Both arguably benefit much more limited populations than ENDA.

Gay Mom wrote:

What do you think the chances are? Could I go to Iowa and get married, but receive Federal benefits in Michigan?

If Michigan recognizes same-sex marriage: yes. If Michigan doesn't recognize same-sex marriage: no.
Each state decides on its marriage laws and recognition thereof by the Constitution of the USA.

WeTheSheeple wrote:

<quoted text>
Waiting is going to give us the best chance of passing Hates Crimes, ENDA, and repealing DADT. You throw in a repeal of DOMA now and all that is in jeopardy.
The best chance for a repeal of DOMA is currently working through the federal courts in Massachusetts.

Marriage is a states right issue. The federal government should not meddle in the dispute or legality, except to allow federal benefits for those same-sex marriages in those states that recognize them. At present, DOMA denies recognition to all same-sex marriages which is a violation of states-rights protected by the constitution.

Ye Olde Fart wrote:

<quoted text>
If Michigan recognizes same-sex marriage: yes. If Michigan doesn't recognize same-sex marriage: no.
Each state decides on its marriage laws and recognition thereof by the Constitution of the USA.

That's not true. If DOMA is repealled, then Federal benefits will be available in all 50 states. You would have to get married in Iowa first, since same sex marriage isn't legal in Michigan.

Inquisitarian wrote:

<quoted text>
Spare us your misplaced outrage. No one said that transpeople aren't already being disproportionately targeted for violence.
The thrust of the other poster's comment was that an attempt to repeal DOMA will likely foster an upswing in violence against LGBT people more generally, thanks to the anticipated increase in fearmongering from our opponents.
And you knew that was the point, yet you decided to twist it and turn it into something it wasn't, and to make this thread about something else entirely.
I have just about zero patience for this kind of BS. Try seeing the forest instead of being focused solely on your own tree, FFS.

No, the post was specificaly worded. If it was about there being an upswing, then it should have been worded differently. MY point is that the religious wingnuts are already murdering us. I just used the example I had on hand.

You know, YOU assume that I'm being prejudiced because of my example. I, personally, am tired of every single time someone comes out with new legislation there is a hew and cry about how the religious wingnuts out there are going to start murdering us- as in gays, lesbians AND transpeople. I'm tired of people not remembering that the religious wingnuts don't NEED a reason to target us and are already doing so.

Whether or not you like that fact is another matter all together, but the post I was responding to was not about there being an upswing in violence, it was about this bill CAUSING violence flat out.

Quite frankly, the religious wingnuts don't need a bill or a law to go out hunting us, they hate us and they feel that we should be wiped out. That 'we' btw is NOT trans specific, but covers everyone in the LGBT community.

Now that THAT is cleared up, let me make something clear. While I AM the one who posted this, that is because it is important, but it does not mean that I agree with this bill. There is something to be gained through caution.

Ye Olde Fart wrote:

<quoted text>
Marriage is a states right issue. The federal government should not meddle in the dispute or legality, except to allow federal benefits for those same-sex marriages in those states that recognize them. At present, DOMA denies recognition to all same-sex marriages which is a violation of states-rights protected by the constitution.

Full Faith And Credit Clause of the Constitution. The second DOMA is repealed or struck down, all benefits, including those at the state level, have to be granted as per that clause and the case Loving v. Virginia.

Ye Olde Fart wrote:

<quoted text>
If Michigan recognizes same-sex marriage: yes. If Michigan doesn't recognize same-sex marriage: no.
Each state decides on its marriage laws and recognition thereof by the Constitution of the USA.

If DOMA is repealed, then Michigan will have to recognize marriages from out of state, even if future legislation gives the state the right to not license same-sex marriages in its state, it will most certainly have to recognize those performed in other states. Just as it must recognize opposite sex marriages from other states. DOMA is the only thing that allows states that do not license same-sex marriages to IGNORE a married couple from another state.

Sei wrote:

<quoted text>
Full Faith And Credit Clause of the Constitution. The second DOMA is repealed or struck down, all benefits, including those at the state level, have to be granted as per that clause and the case Loving v. Virginia.

If only it were that easy. While we all believe the FFC clause should force all states to recognize same-sex marriages, the simple fact is it doesn't until the Supreme Court rules that way.

That's part of the problem with this, people on both sides are confused about what the impact of a repeal will mean. Misinformation is our worst enemy.