8

GAY PEOPLE'S CHRONICLE

Pride Guide 2009

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www.GayPeoplesChronicle.com

DOMA

Continued from page 7

Five quit gay Democratic fundraiser

That's not coming soon enough for some gay high-dollar donors to the Democratic National Committee.

The DNC is holding a major LGBT fundraiser next week in Washington, featuring Vice President Joe Biden. Tickets are $1,000.

The party has been circulating a list of influential lesbian and gay invitees in order to build interest. The three openly gay members of Congress, Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis are on the host committee.

However, five on the list have pulled out in protest of the brief, and the event is in danger of collapsing.

At mid-week, the cancellations are

former Clinton administration LGBT liason Richard Socarides, Clinton adviser David Mixner, Empire State Pride Agenda director Alan Van Capelle, blogger Andy Towle and HRC's political director Marty Rouse.

The Washington Blade will have reporters and cameras posted at the door to record which LGBT guests show up.

Statements of condemnation of the brief have been issued by heads of LGBT organizations including HRC President Joe Solmonese, and Lambda Legals legal director Jon Davidson.

A New York Times editorial called the brief “disturbing."

"If the administration does feel compelled to defend the act, it should do so in a less hurtful way," the Times opined.

"It could have crafted its legal arguments in general terms, as a simple description of where it believes the law now stands. There was no need to resort to specious arguments and inflammatory language to impugn same-sex marriage as an institution."

'A lot too far'

Former DNC chair Howard Dean said on MSNBC said the brief was "a lot too far."

Though not backing away from sponsorship of the DNC fundraiser, Polis became the only gay member of Congress to issue a statement on the matter.

"I was shocked and disappointed to learn that President Obama chose to

defend DOMA in federal court, especially given his campaign promise to call for a full repeal of DOMA," Polis said.

"My sadness turned to outrage when I read the Justice Department's brief that not only defended this hurtful law but seemed to embrace it. Comparing my loving relationship with my partner, Marlon, to incest was unconscionable coming from a president who has called for change."

Polis concluded, "Since this filing, I have called on the president to issue a statement or give any sign that would clarify his position and am disappointed in his lack of reply."

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