| − | '''The Defense of Marriage Act''' (DOMA), 28 U.S.C. 1738c, was passed by a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Congress]] and signed into law by [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] President [[Bill Clinton]]. It defends traditional marriage by enabling each state to refuse to recognize another state's grant of same-sex marriages and clarifies that the U.S. federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages at all, even if recognized by one of the states. | + | '''The Defense of Marriage Act''' (DOMA), 28 U.S.C. 1738c, was passed by a [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Congress]] and signed into law by [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] President [[Bill Clinton]].<ref>The law passed by overwhelming supermajorities: 342-67 in the House, and 85-14 in the Senate.</ref> It defends traditional marriage by enabling each state to refuse to recognize another state's grant of same-sex marriages and clarifies that the U.S. federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages at all, even if recognized by one of the states. |
| − | Thirty out of fifty states have constitutional provisions defining and limiting marriage as between a man and a woman.<ref>http://www.domawatch.com/stateissues/index.html</ref> The states lacking protection of marriage in their constitutions are the thirteen northeastern states beginning with [[West Virginia]] (but not including Virginia), plus North Carolina on the East Coast; in the Midwest the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, and in the West the states of Colorado, New Mexico and Washington. As of May 12, 2009, five of those states had judicially declared or legislatively enacted same-sex marriage laws: Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine. In New Hampshire, the legislature passed same-sex marriage but the Governor has not yet received it for signature or a veto.
| + | About 30 out of 50 states have constitutional provisions defining and limiting marriage as between a man and a woman.<ref>http://www.domawatch.com/stateissues/index.html</ref> The states lacking protection of marriage in their constitutions are the 13 northeastern states and territory (D.C.) beginning with [[West Virginia]] (but not including Virginia), plus North Carolina on the East Coast; in the Midwest the states of Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, and in the West the states of Colorado, New Mexico and Washington. As of May 12, 2009, 5 of these states had judicially declared or legislatively enacted same-sex marriage laws: Massachusetts, Iowa, Connecticut, Vermont and Maine. A referendum is possible in Maine in fall 2009 to overturn its legislation, if enough petition signatures are obtained to place it on the ballot. In New Hampshire, the legislature passed same-sex marriage but the Governor has not yet received it for signature or a veto. |
| | + | Of the roughly 14 states that lack a constitutional traditional marriage provision, seven have "state DOMAs," which is state legislation defining marriage in the traditional way. States or territories that lack constitutional protection for marriage or a state DOMA include New Jersey, Delaware, Rhode Island, D.C., Colorado and New Mexico. |