Defense of Marriage Act

Definition

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a U.S. federal law enacted in 1996 that defined marriage as the union between one man and one woman for the purposes of federal benefits and programs. It reflected and reinforced traditional views on marriage, specifically in the context of the rising Religious Right's influence on gender politics and the evolving attitudes towards sexuality and gender expression in American society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DOMA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 21, 1996, largely as a response to increasing public support for same-sex marriage.
2. The law prevented same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits that were available to heterosexual couples, impacting areas like taxation, immigration, and health care.
3. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Windsor that a key provision of DOMA was unconstitutional, leading to increased recognition of same-sex marriages at the federal level.
4. DOMA's passage was influenced by the growing political power of the Religious Right, which sought to maintain traditional definitions of marriage as part of a broader cultural agenda.
5. The law's eventual repeal and court challenges marked a significant shift in American attitudes towards sexuality and gender expression, illustrating a broader societal change towards acceptance.

Review Questions

• How did the Defense of Marriage Act reflect the societal attitudes towards marriage at the time it was enacted?
  • The Defense of Marriage Act reflected conservative societal attitudes towards marriage during the 1990s by explicitly defining it as a union between one man and one woman. This definition was aligned with traditional views on marriage and was a response to growing support for same-sex unions. DOMA's passage signaled an attempt by lawmakers to codify these views into federal law amidst changing cultural norms.
• What role did the Religious Right play in the formation and support of DOMA, and how did this reflect their broader political agenda?
  • The Religious Right played a crucial role in advocating for DOMA as part of their broader political agenda aimed at preserving traditional family values. They mobilized grassroots support and exerted influence on lawmakers to ensure that same-sex marriages were not recognized at the federal level. This campaign was intertwined with their opposition to LGBTQ+ rights, illustrating how religious beliefs shaped political action during this era.
• Evaluate the implications of DOMA's repeal for modern understandings of gender expression and sexuality in American society.
  • The repeal of DOMA marked a pivotal moment in the recognition and acceptance of diverse sexual orientations and gender expressions in American society. It led to increased legal protections for same-sex couples and symbolized a shift towards inclusivity within both legal frameworks and social attitudes. This evolution has contributed to ongoing discussions about equality, rights, and identity, reshaping how society understands marriage beyond traditional definitions and acknowledging the validity of all forms of love.

Related terms

Same-Sex Marriage: The legal union between two individuals of the same sex, which became a significant legal and social issue in the U.S., especially after the repeal of DOMA.

Religious Right: A political movement that emerged in the late 20th century, primarily consisting of conservative Christian groups advocating for traditional family values and opposing same-sex marriage.

Obergefell v. Hodges: A landmark 2015 Supreme Court case that ruled state-level bans on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, effectively overturning DOMA's definitions.