US Reluctantly Defends Federal Ban on Gay Marriage

A Justice Department filing yesterday backed the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman. The move appeals a federal judge’s ruling calling DOMA unconstitutional, TPM reports. But the administration asserted that it doesn’t support the act; the filing merely adhered to the executive branch’s traditional duty to defend laws it sees as constitutional, even if it disagrees with them politically.

“Indeed, the President supports repeal of DOMA and has taken the position that Congress should extend federal benefits to individuals in same-sex marriages,” the Justice department noted in the appeal. But gay-rights advocates aren’t happy with the administration’s move, despite the caveat. “There are some improvements in tone in the brief, but the bottom line is the government continues to oppose full equality for its gay citizens,” notes one. Click for more reaction.