My partner, Don, and I have been selected along with 5 other same-gender couples from around the country by the Courage Campaign's Testimony project to submit a written statement to the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this coming Wednesday, July 20, 2011 in DC. http://www.couragecampaign.org/
This hearing is to discuss the 15th anniversary of the signing of DOMA, the Defense of Marriage Act, signed by President Bill Clinton.
DOMA forbids Federal recognition of same-gender marriages even in states that recognize such marriages.
http://www.domawatch.org/about/federaldoma.html
The intent of DOMA has been widely copied by over 40 states including Oklahoma by passage of SQ 711 in 2004 (see attachment).
"I'm really excited by this opportunity as Don and I are the only ones from this part of the country to participate from among the hundreds of statements submitted to the Courage Campaign. Our Testimony statement will be entered into the Congressional hearing record. It will show that we contribute to our country's life in ways that betray the viciously stereotyped misinformation intentionally handed out by the country's homo-haters, be they national spokespeople or Oklahoma legislators."
My partner, Don Chabot, and I, Jim Nimmo, live in Oklahoma where we've been caring for one another, been emotionally supportive, and assisting one another financially for 34 years. In other words we've been together though thick and thin, sickness and health, richer and poorer.
ReplyDeleteDuring these 34 years both of us have been gainfully employed, paid our taxes on time, and contributed to making our neighborhood and Oklahoma a better place to live for everyone. I was even a candidate for the Oklahoma City school board.
We have also been co-plaintiffs in a 2004 lawsuit that challenged the Oklahoma version of DOMA, called State Question 711. The passage of this ballot question made the benefits and privileges of state-recognized marriage off limits to committed couples of the same gender.
Even though Don and I have a long history together, the passage of this DOMA imitator gave us a second-class citizenship, even though we both pay first-class taxes.
Both the state of Oklahoma and the Federal government have abandoned us even though we have broken no laws.
DOMA and Oklahoma denigrate same-gender couples, cheating us of the full enjoyment of our lives and efforts as model citizens.
As the older half of our relationship, Don has been receiving Social Security for six years and which he signed into early due to health issues. Should he die first his lifelong payments to Social Security will be unavailable to me because DOMA will not recognize our right to marriage.
The rescinding of DOMA will not make our devotion to one another any stronger, but it will recognize that we deserve the same benefits and privileges that opposite-gender couples receive. This includes but is not limited to survivor benefits from Social Security and employer pensions, property inheritance, hospital visitation and health care directives.
Those opposed to same-gender marriage claim they're protecting it. However, I know of no serious efforts by these self-proclaimed protectors to rescind divorce laws that do damage to marriage by dissolving it altogether. Their concern for marriage is really anxiety that the prejudice against gays and lesbians will be weakened.
Our system of American fair play needs to rescind DOMA for the better health of all Americans.