Center for American Progress

Ending DOMA will mean equal rights for all members of our military
In the News

Ending DOMA will mean equal rights for all members of our military

Patrick Murphy describes how the Supreme Court must make sure service members receive the same rights that they risk their lives to protect and defend.

In 1978, the Supreme Court struck down as unconstitutional a Wisconsin law that denied marriage licenses to individuals behind on their child support payments. Nine years later, the Court overturned a Missouri law barring incarcerated felons from marrying without the permission of their warden.

The basis for these rulings: Marriage is a fundamental right—and protected under the due process and equal protection clauses of the U.S. Constitution.

LGBT service members deserve the same rights as felons and deadbeat dads.

The above excerpt was originally published in msnbc. Click here to view the full article.

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Authors

Patrick Murphy

Senior Fellow