Another Snub By Obama?

Gay rights groups are furious over President Obama's apparent support of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA is the federal law that states that no state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state, and the federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.

As a presidential candidate, Barack Obama claimed "we need to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act..." However, today the Department of Justice, the President's attorneys, submitted a brief to dismiss a law suit filed by two California men who are married but claim it is unconstitutional for their marriage not to be recognized by other states. Although it's true that the Justice Department is generally tasked with defending acts of Congress, DOMA being such an act, Obama could speak up!

Come on Obama! It's about time you stood up publically for gay rights!

UPDATE:

Today, California Attorney General Jerry Brown filed a brief in support of the federal lawsuit seeking to overturn Proposition 8 and restore marriage equality to California. In response, Equality California (EQCA) Executive Director Geoff Kors released the following statement.

“In stark contrast to President Obama's Justice Department filing a brief defending the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act, California's Attorney General Jerry Brown today filed a brief in support of a federal challenge to Proposition 8. Equality California is extremely appreciative of the Attorney General's continued leadership in opposition to Proposition 8 and in support of ending discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Californians. Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to file his brief soon. We urge him to take the same principled stance and tell the Court that Prop. 8 violates the Constitution.“The time has come for all elected leaders to follow Jerry Brown’s example and stand up for equality for all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Equality California will continue our position of not endorsing or supporting any candidate for any level of public office who does not completely and unequivocally support total equality for our community.”