{"id":5142,"date":"2011-01-29T12:56:47","date_gmt":"2011-01-29T12:56:47","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2011-01-29T12:56:47","modified_gmt":"2011-01-29T12:56:47","slug":"same-sex-marriage-may-force-obama-s-hand","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/proudparenting.com\/2011\/01\/same-sex-marriage-may-force-obama-s-hand\/","title":{"rendered":"Same-sex marriage may force Obama’s hand"},"content":{"rendered":"

President Obama has urged lawmakers to repeal the ’96 Defense of Marriage Act. But now his administration, for the first time, may be required to take a definitive stand on questions like whether gays have been unfairly stigmatized, are politically powerful, and can choose to change their sexual orientation. <\/p>\n

Two new federal lawsuits will test his commitment. \u201cNow they are being asked what they think the law should be, and not merely how to apply the law as it exists<\/a>,\u201d said Michael Dorf, a Cornell University law professor. \u201cThere is much less room to hide for that decision.\u201d James Esseks, an American Civil Liberties Union lawyer helping with one case, said the new suits could be game-changing.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have a whole bunch of really smart lawyers who are looking at a whole range of options,\u201d Mr. Obama said, referring to finding a way to end the Defense of Marriage Act. \u201cI\u2019m always looking for a way to get it done, if possible, through our elected representatives. That may not be possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

(via NYT<\/a>)<\/p>\n

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