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Written by Lisa Neff
Feb 11, 2010
Openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo.
President Barack Obama confirmed his support for legislation to extend the federal benefits of marriage to same-sex couples. Such benefits, including Social Security survivor benefits, are denied to gays and lesbians under the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act.
Responding to a question about pending legislation to repeal elements of DOMA, Obama said, “My hope is we can get it done.”
In other news from the U.S. capital:
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26 U.S. representatives signed a letter calling on the Boy Scouts of America to end its discrimination against gay scouts and gay and lesbian scout leaders. U.S. Reps. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., and Gary Ackerman, D-N.Y., initiated the effort.
Activists have for years challenged the policy, which the BSA most recently cited in its decision to reject an offer to volunteer from lesbian moms Cate and Elizabeth Wirth, whose 10-year-old son had joined a Cub Scout pack in Vermont.
“As you celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, it is long past time that the Boy Scouts finally provide the opportunity for all scouts, leaders, and volunteers, to share in the joys of scouting, regardless of sexual orientation,” the congressional letter stated.
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Openly gay U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., introduced the Student Non-Discrimination Act, which would offer remedies for discrimination “based on actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity” in public elementary and secondary schools.
“We’ve encountered extraordinary cases of violence and discrimination against LGBT young people in schools – and sometimes against the allies who try to support them,” said Lambda Legal deputy director Hayley Gorenberg. “The Student Non-Discrimination Act takes a big step toward a safer and healthier environment in every public school.”
Polis secured 60 co-sponsors, including Baldwin and openly gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass.
