By: Joe Siegel/TRT Reporter
Beth Vorro and Beth Coderre, a married couple from North Smithfield, R.I., traveled to Washington, D.C., last week to explain to the media how the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) has negatively impacted their lives.
Vorro and Coderre, along with two other married same-sex couples, addressed the National Press Club at the request of the Courage Campaign.
“Last week (the Courage Campaign) sent an e-mail (to their supporters) simply asking people who have been harmed in some way by DOMA to just share their story,” Vorro told _The Rainbow Times_. “They really liked our story and they thought the press would connect to it.”
The Defense of Marriage Act passed both chambers of Congress by overwhelming margins and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996.
In February, the Obama administration announced it would no longer defend the constitutionality of the act in court cases. A couple of weeks later, House Speaker John Boehner announced that the Republican caucus would defend the law.
White House Press Secretary Jay Carney noted President Obama’s support for repealing DOMA.
“This legislation would uphold the principle that the federal government should not deny gay and lesbian couples the same rights and legal protections as straight couples,” Carney said.
Speaking in front of the assembled members of the media was an emotional experience for Vorro and Coderre.
“It was just exhilarating,” said Coderre, adding that the sense of history in the room was very moving. “We are entitled to free speech. And in this case, when we feel that there is discrimination, (and) there is something that is incorrect that needs to be corrected, we actually do have a forum in which to do that.”
Vorro, a federal employee, spoke about having to spend $150,000 on health insurance for Coderre. The members of the media seemed to be sympathetic to the plight of married same-sex couples who are prohibited from having the same benefits as heterosexual married couples, according to Vorro.
“I felt a sense of comprehension,” Vorro said. “There was a sense that they got it very quickly and immediately.”
Coderre remembered being angered when a doctor asked about the impact on health insurance premiums if federal benefits were extended to married same-sex couples.
“The reality is I am in a legal same-sex marriage,” Coderre said. “I am legally married as recognized by the state of Massachusetts and my heterosexual peers automatically have these rights and privileges conferred to them upon marriage. We are legally married. We have the responsibilities. We pay our taxes, we perform our civic duties, we vote, we serve on juries when asked to, we are fully engaged in our neighborhoods, but we are barred access to the rights and privileges that everyone else has.”
As a result, married same-sex couples have to take actions not required of married heterosexual couples.
“If something were to happen to (Beth),” said Coderre, “I need a special form I have to fill out that enables me to deal with the funeral director, make funeral arrangements, plan her funeral, that recognizes I am the person to do that.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- California) said she does not expect that Congress will act this year to repeal DOMA. But Feinstein views the Senate Judiciary Committee’s first hearing on the law as an important first step.
“I think eyes have opened,” said Feinstein, one of 14 senators who voted against the Defense of Marriage Act and is the lead sponsor of a bill that would repeal the act. “More and more people across this land know people who are gay, who want to have a lasting relationship, who look at marriage as an economic agreement as well as an emotional agreement.”
Wednesday’s hearing allowed lawmakers the chance to hear from married same-sex couples who are ineligible for the many federal benefits that are provided to married heterosexual couples. For example, gay couples who get married in New York, Iowa or any other state that recognizes same-sex marriage cannot file joint federal income taxes and claim certain deductions. Nor can they receive spousal benefits under Social Security or take unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons.
Vorro remains optimistic DOMA will be repealed, whether by Congress or through the courts.
“I have faith that history is on our side,” Vorro said.
