Family Law

Gay Marriage Measure Passes House Without Debate #ABAChicago

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Corrected: The ABA policy-making House of Delegates passed by an overwhelming voice vote a resolution calling on Congress to repeal a section of the Defense of Marriage Act that denies federal marital benefits and protections to lawfully married same-sex couples.

Despite the controversial nature of same-sex marriage, no one spoke in opposition to the measure itself.

“This is a very modest recommendation, some would even say a conservative recommendation,” said Estelle Rogers, a lawyer who is a consultant on civil rights and civil liberties issues in Washington, D.C.

The measure neither favors nor opposes civil marriage for same-sex couples, she said. It merely urges the federal government to recognize the rights provided by states which allow for such marriages, she said.

More on the Annual Meeting ‘09 here:

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ABA Journal’s Annual Meeting coverage at this link.

Flickr Slideshow: ABA Journal snapshots from Annual Meeting.

ABA Annual Meeting site.

Interactive updates on the Annual Meeting from ABA Media Relations at ABANow.org.

Updated on Aug. 4. The initial post incorrectly reported Ms. Rogers was a lawyer with the civil rights group Advancement Project.

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