Seals Support for Federal Court Ruling DOMA Unconstitutional
DEERFIELD, IL—Today, Democratic Congressional Candidate Dan Seals issued the following statement after a Federal District Court ruled parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional, finding that the law interfered with the rights of states to define marriage and served only to “disadvantage a group of which [Congress] disapproves”:
“I am encouraged to see that a federal court has recognized the Defense of Marriage Act’s unconstitutionality and will reiterate my support for DOMA’s full repeal,” said Seals. “It is a disappointing injustice that same-sex couples don’t have the same rights – be it healthcare, employment benefits, or tax fairness – that my family does. Our constitution sets forth fundamental human rights that must apply to all Americans equally, and this is an important step in the right direction.”
Seals is endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights organization with over 750,000 members and supporters nationwide. HRC President Joe Solomonese praised Seals for his leadership on LGBT issues stating, “Dan exemplifies the type of independent leadership our nation needs. A man of deep principal and integrity, Seals will fight for the civil rights of the LGBT community and all Americans.”
According to his response in a Chicago Sun-Times candidate questionnaire, Republican opponent Bob Dold “support(s) the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman.”
According to the Illinois Family Institute Voter Guide, Dold also opposes expanding the Employee Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a proposed bill to prohibit inequity in the workplace on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, as well as opposing the repeal of the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, which several prominent Republicans acknowledge is both morally flawed and counterproductive to national security.
Seals supports the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He also supports expanding ENDA, the repeal of ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’, and increasing federal funding for HIV prevention, treatment, and research.