Progress: Bill Clinton’s Mea Culpa On Gay Rights

Former president says the federal gay marriage ban that he signed should end

Well, it’s about time, Mr. President! In 1996, Bill Clinton signed into law the Defense of Marriage Act. It essentially prohibits legally married gay and lesbian couples from receiving the federal benefits (tax and health incentives) afforded to heterosexual couples. In an op-ed published by The Washington Post, former President Clinton acknowledges that the country as moved in a different direction on gay marriage and is advocating for DOMA to end. When Clinton signed the law, there were no states where gay marriage was legal. Today, 10 states and the District of Columbia have adopted marriage equality. Additionally, a narrow majority of Americans (51 percent) support legalization. Next month, the Supreme Court will decide if DOMA is constitutional. To read Clinton’s full the editorial, click here.

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