• May 27, 2012

Obama Suddenly Decides Defense of Marriage Act Unconstitutional

by Jack Stuef  12:53 pm February 23, 2011

Maybe?The Department of Justice has released a statement today saying Barack Obama told them they should no longer defend the defenseless Defense of Marriage Act in court because it discriminates against gay spouses and is therefore unconstitutional. Well yeah, duh, instituting discrimination is the whole point of that legislation, but it’s nice to see Obama starting to return his own previous position on the issue now that he feels it’s safe. Change takes time to set in, we guess. The statement was sent in a letter to John Boehner, a sort of head’s up to Republicans that they now live in a LAND OF SIN and there’s nothing they can do about it. Equality: sometimes it happens!

Much of the legal landscape has changed in the 15 years since Congress passed DOMA. The Supreme Court has ruled that laws criminalizing homosexual conduct are unconstitutional. Congress has repealed the military’s Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. Several lower courts have ruled DOMA itself to be unconstitutional. Section 3 of DOMA will continue to remain in effect unless Congress repeals it or there is a final judicial finding that strikes it down, and the President has informed me that the Executive Branch will continue to enforce the law. But while both the wisdom and the legality of Section 3 of DOMA will continue to be the subject of both extensive litigation and public debate, this Administration will no longer assert its constitutionality in court.

Not quite the same as a stirring MLK speech, but it’ll do.

And thus ends another chapter in Obama cautiously giving a small bit of ground to civil rights for gay people that he secretly believes in. What will he do tomorrow, shake the hands of a gay couple? He is an amazing reformer. [DOJ via Truth Wins Out]

{ 136 comments }

donner_froh February 23, 2011 at 12:54 pm

As Joe Biden may have already said: "This a BIG fucking deal."

weejee February 23, 2011 at 1:09 pm

No butts about it, DOMA is screwed.

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:23 pm

Reverse the emphasis.

Or not. 'Cause now that the gays can marry, they'll turn into sexless drones just like their breeder colleagues.

nounverb911 February 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm

" The statement was sent in a letter to John Boehner"
Time for Boehner to come out of the closet.

GOPCrusher February 23, 2011 at 1:13 pm

Dressed like Carmen Miranda, singing "Don't Cry For Me, Argentina"?

widestanceroman February 23, 2011 at 1:25 pm

No, really that's OK, JB can remain closeted. We'll just steal your younger hotter children to make us drinks and maintain our ranks.

themcwow February 23, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Out of the tanning bed.

Negropolis February 24, 2011 at 3:06 am

I take it you mean it's time for him to come out of his wine cellar. Good luck.

DeeJayKitteh February 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Yeah, what the DOJ and Obama said was interesting and all…but I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for Bryan Fischer's take on the issue.

pops some popcorn and waits for the fireworks show

unseenhandjob February 23, 2011 at 1:14 pm

And they pretend there's not an overweening heterosexual agenda…

emmelemm February 23, 2011 at 1:18 pm

Scoot over…. I'm right there with ya.

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:24 pm

Given Obama's support for Prop 8, & him going back on it, I assume Fisch will say the Prez is an Indian-Giver.

ManchuCandidate February 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm

So endth the Cock (not Koch) blocking.

Crank_Tango February 23, 2011 at 12:57 pm

Ah, maybe eventually it will be politically safe to let those bush-era tax cuts actually expire, but I doubt it.

CapnFatback February 23, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Natch, this announcement has more to do with the bush area than the Bush era.

CapnFatback February 23, 2011 at 12:58 pm

Sounds like someone received an invitation to a wedding in Iowa this past weekend.

JoeBiteme February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Even if Obamar doesn't personally agree with this, it's fucking refreshing to see a politician who responds to the ACTUAL will of "the people".
God, I feel gross and slightly uneducated even using a phrase like that, thanks teatards…

nounverb911 February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

But is the world ready for Lindsey Lieberman?

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:25 pm

Worse for South Carolina: marrying a man, or marrying a Jew?

elviouslyqueer February 23, 2011 at 1:35 pm

Yes.

vulpes82 February 23, 2011 at 1:35 pm

I say HAM BISCUITS to the world! Miss Lindsay's been hiding his trousseau in that old family chest for too long!

elviouslyqueer February 23, 2011 at 1:38 pm

"hiding his trousseau" = power bottoming
"that old family chest" = his pool boy Lars

/clarified, for y'all's convenience and edification.

V572625694 February 23, 2011 at 1:44 pm

Lars is LInday's Charleston pool boy. In DC it's Luther.

HistoriCat February 23, 2011 at 2:47 pm

But in DC he doesn't even have a p- oh, I see.

Gopherit February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Great. First he goes muslin, now he goes gay. Why didn't we listen to Glenn Beck before it was too late?

SorosBot February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

Rick Santorum has a sad, which makes all decent people glad.

OneDollarJuana February 23, 2011 at 1:09 pm

Whaddya mean? Now Rick can marry his poodle!

DaRooster February 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm

SO… THAT'S why his daughter is cryin' non-stop…

"Mom, Pa's poundin' the poo-dle again."

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 3:17 pm

The image of a "Santorum Pounded Poodle" will never get old.

kissawookiee February 23, 2011 at 1:41 pm

Eyes squeaned shut, lips pouting, clutching a rag doll dressed in a matching gingham suit.

Come here a minute February 23, 2011 at 1:54 pm

And there was much frothy santorum throughout the land!

Come here a minute February 23, 2011 at 1:56 pm

And there was much frothy santorum throughout the land!

i_AM_ready February 23, 2011 at 1:58 pm

And Phyllis Schlflay has a stroke, which gladdens all the decent folk.

Tengu February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

He also strongly condemned Apartheid.

problemwithcaring February 23, 2011 at 2:04 pm

He's cool with it on the West Bank, though. Bi-partisanship!

DarwinianDemon February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

"…now that he feels its safe"

Careful though, if he sees his shadow he'll scurry back into his hole and it will be another 10 years of DOMA

Oblios_Cap February 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm

The statement was sent in a letter to John Boehner, a sort of head’s up to Republicans that they now live in a LAND OF SIN and there’s nothing they can do about it.

Come on in, the water's fine!

USA,USA!

DaRooster February 23, 2011 at 2:02 pm

But it ain't sin if the Repugs do it.

bumfug February 23, 2011 at 1:01 pm

Hey Barry, stuff like this might be more impressive if you didn't wait until everybody is saying "It's about fucking time" before you finally do something.

ifthethunderdontgetya February 23, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Maybe in four years he'll figure out that blowing up wedding parties in Afghanistan isn't actually worth all the billions we spend doing it.
~

x111e7thst February 23, 2011 at 1:01 pm

Now I understand why my marriage is suddenly falling to bits all around me. Barry O and the Gayz did it.

baconzgood February 23, 2011 at 1:01 pm

FABULOUS!!!!!!

fuflans February 23, 2011 at 2:25 pm

as you took the word right out of my mouth, i wish i could upfist you more…

user-of-owls February 23, 2011 at 1:02 pm

Politico is reporting that the media suspected this was coming when the White House began piping Judy Garland into the press room.

EatsBabyDingos February 23, 2011 at 1:04 pm

Ham Biscuits meet Whisker Biscuits. Just steer clear of Boehner's Limp Biscuit.

baconzgood February 23, 2011 at 1:03 pm

And Sarah Palin is going to say somthing offensive and stupid about this in 5,4,3,2,…

nounverb911 February 23, 2011 at 1:05 pm

And then we can ask her how her bastard illegitimate grandchild is.

ManchuCandidate February 23, 2011 at 1:08 pm

Or how her "friend" Lou Sarah is.

GOPCrusher February 23, 2011 at 1:30 pm
elviouslyqueer February 23, 2011 at 1:43 pm

Jesus, the stoopid on that site is mind-blowing. And for once, I'm not talking about the comments.

Ducksworthy February 23, 2011 at 2:03 pm

Congratulations Wonkette! Nice to see you get credit. The "ignore that man behind the curtain" tone from Palin is great too, also.

baconzgood February 23, 2011 at 2:18 pm

I have a face book psudo (baconzgood). Here are some samples:
Your penis is bigger than a python and I won't be able to walk straight because my knees are still trembling due to all of the Orgasims.

You are the most smartest person in the world. That insight left me flabbergasted.

Can I name my child after you? I'll pay you for the privilege. See I want my spawn to get all the opportunities that a person as cool as you gets.

OC_Surf_Serf February 23, 2011 at 1:04 pm

The Supreme Court has ruled that laws criminalizing homosexual conduct are unconstitutional

Something tells me, with this current crop of FundieCatholic Fucks (Elena "Softball" Kagan exempt) , that money and/or Polaroids where involved…

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:26 pm

Anthony Kennedy going to Europe all the damn time to lecture on his summers off, you know he was hitting Love Parade at least a coupla times.

BerkeleyBear February 23, 2011 at 2:32 pm

It was back when you had a guy who the GOP considered a closted case (Souter), Breyer, Ginsburg and JP Stevens on the left, plus Kennedy. Kennedy, it should be noted , started his legal career in the demon city of SAN FRANCISCO in the late 60s/early 70s, and by his own admission hung out in the Tenderloin (at the Hastings Law library, but still). So I'm guessing there's some amazing 8 mm film somehwere of him in a Pan costume just cold destroying men and women in a sexual frenzy.

Redhead February 23, 2011 at 1:04 pm

About damn time.

Schmannnity February 23, 2011 at 1:04 pm

The ballsier move would have been to have the letter read at the beginning of the CPAC convention.

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 3:21 pm

Sadly, No. The ballsier moves would be happening in the restroom at CPAC.

Beowoof February 23, 2011 at 1:05 pm

Freedom is hard, it means people getting married even when you don't like the people. Now there will be gay Mexicans getting married in my front yard and if they bring Cerveza and cake I am okay with that.

WordSaladNation February 23, 2011 at 1:28 pm

Heh heh. You said "hard."

Steverino247 February 23, 2011 at 4:13 pm

Stay thirsty, my gay, Mexican friends.

Negropolis February 24, 2011 at 3:12 am

The ironic thing is that gay marriage is actually legal in Mexico City, DF.

widestanceroman February 23, 2011 at 1:05 pm

In celebration, I just bought everyone here an upfist.

Beowoof February 23, 2011 at 1:06 pm

and one for you to.

SorosBot February 23, 2011 at 1:14 pm

And you get an upfist and you get and upfist and you get an upfist and you…

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:27 pm

I read your handle as "widestanceromance", which seemed apropos for the topic.

widestanceroman February 23, 2011 at 1:39 pm

HA! It was precisely that here at Wonkette until IntenseDebate's name field objected to the number of characters, and I just deleted until it shut up.

Someday, I'd like to be widestanceitalic, though.

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 3:23 pm

Goddamn circle jerk all up in here.

genxr February 23, 2011 at 1:07 pm

Republican response: You ruined marriage. Now none of us can have straight sex. Dammit. Where's the men's room?

the_onceler February 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm

I'll inform my partner (opposite sexed one) that we'll have to get divorced now that he's destroyed the institution of marriage.

freakishlywrong February 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Though this is happy news; please don't let this be the capitulator in chief throwing the fucking retarded base a bone before he caves and the EPA and Planned Parenthood are defended. Set, grow a pair.

SayItWithWookies February 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm

Hey, at least he's capitulating to the right people now — it's a momentum shift that bodes well for PP and CPB and all those other commies out there.

chascates February 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Obama's afraid of teh geyz rising up, encouraged by the freedom movements in the Middle East, and calling for a Homosexual Caliphate!

And we pot smokers demand recognition before we call for a national smoke-in and crowd all the fast food outlets, bringing our economy to a halt.

chickensmack February 23, 2011 at 1:26 pm

I bet a homersexual califate involves bending over five times daily.

genxr February 23, 2011 at 1:36 pm

I call this position "New China"

elviouslyqueer February 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

No no. It's the "Naughty Anderson."

weejee February 23, 2011 at 1:47 pm

Will Backdoor Man become the new National Anthem?

nounverb911 February 23, 2011 at 1:10 pm

Does this mean it's time for Newt to get married again?

horsedreamer_1 February 23, 2011 at 1:28 pm

At the very lease, divorced. His marriage will crumble in the face of this amoral onslaught.

OneDollarJuana February 23, 2011 at 1:11 pm

I'm guessing Sasha or Malia are making noises about "questioning" and FLOTUS has put the screws to POTUS.

widestanceroman February 23, 2011 at 2:46 pm

You mean to say she not only applied The Persuaders, but The Enforcer as well?

GOPCrusher February 23, 2011 at 1:12 pm

You know Barry, if you would have exhibited this level of backbone back in 2009, maybe you wouldn't have had your ass handed to you in 2010.

sati_demise February 23, 2011 at 5:10 pm

word.

PalinPussyPower February 23, 2011 at 1:12 pm

If I were a man, I'd gay marry that handsome negro. In honor of this blessed occassion, I will engage in buttsecks, also. Get ready to clean up some Santorum, illegal housekeeper.
Heathens 1 – Focus on the Family 0

x111e7thst February 23, 2011 at 1:18 pm

You are a shining example to us all.

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 3:32 pm

Hey now, you seem to forget that "Focus on the Family"'s co-founder Mr. Dobson has a solution to all of this gay fever. It involves taking your child into the shower with you and showing off your enlarged penis, but really, it's the Christian thing to do.

SudsMcKenzie February 23, 2011 at 1:15 pm

Just in time for Tom Delays sexy prison sentence.

freakishlywrong February 23, 2011 at 1:16 pm

That didn't take long:

"Frankly I was surprised that President Obama pretended to be a defender of natural marriage as long as he did,"

Bryan Fucking Fischer. Then he added something about Michelle Obama being fat.

donner_froh February 23, 2011 at 1:30 pm

He should choke on his own bile and die in great pain.

elviouslyqueer February 23, 2011 at 1:55 pm

He should choke on his own bile get smothered between the folds of Rush Limbaugh's panniculus and die in great pain.

There. That's better.

BerkeleyBear February 23, 2011 at 3:38 pm

As someone who's been married for 17+ years, let me say there hasn't been anything that has felt all that "natural" about it. Hell, the running joke in our family for years, any time you are asked to do something ridiculously contorted and/or uncomfortable (such as surviving extended contact with inlaws with a smile on your face) was "act natural!" because that's what the wedding photographer kept saying after placing us in poses only Chinese acrobats can hold for more than 3 seconds.

LetUsBray February 24, 2011 at 12:53 am

Ah, for the days when the likes of Bryan Fucking Fisher would have been lion food for public amusement.

Negropolis February 24, 2011 at 3:15 am

What is "natural marriage?"

OneDollarJuana February 23, 2011 at 1:16 pm

Hey! My P-ness just reached 100! Thanks everybody! And don't feed the trolls!

Radiotherapy February 23, 2011 at 1:32 pm

Congratulations, and as DokZoom said, welcome to the Meaningless Threshold-Crossers' Club™. But I'll upfist you anyway, especially in light of the topic of this post.

OC_Surf_Serf February 23, 2011 at 2:12 pm

Fuck, now we gotta make it to 200!!

HistoriCat February 23, 2011 at 2:53 pm

Yes, you reach one milestone and they raise the bar to the next one – fuckers.

kissawookiee February 23, 2011 at 1:44 pm

Here's an upfist to celebrate the occasion. Sorry, they were out of giftwrap.

V572625694 February 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm

A fist up to you for freedom!

DaRooster February 23, 2011 at 2:10 pm

Your P-ness has been getting pounded… but good!

deanbooth February 23, 2011 at 3:51 pm

Horray! And well deserved, too.

Sophist [APPLESAUCE] February 23, 2011 at 1:17 pm

Great! I'm going to spend the rest of the day writing "Mrs. Anderson Cooper" on my trapper-keeper.

donner_froh February 23, 2011 at 1:21 pm

People of the same sex who are committed to each will be allowed to marry and make their relationship official. So the family law firms are adding lawyers, paralegals and support staff since the opposite marriage divorce rate will spike like a motherfucker.

freakishlywrong February 23, 2011 at 1:21 pm

I see what you did there…

Maman February 23, 2011 at 1:23 pm

I never saw how the gays were attacking my marriage anyway

OneDollarJuana February 23, 2011 at 1:33 pm

They attack straight marriage because they don't often the side effects of children and consequent lack of sex. For just about ever.

GOPCrusher February 23, 2011 at 1:34 pm

Being married is a bigger threat to my marriage than Teh Gheyz.

DeeJayKitteh February 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

With fancy decorating and extremely competitive softball games.

chickensmack February 23, 2011 at 1:25 pm

Today, we are all cheerful, happy, gay people.

teebob2000 February 23, 2011 at 1:29 pm

"Equality: sometimes it happens!"

Despite our best efforts.

PublicLuxury February 23, 2011 at 1:30 pm

This is good news for John McCain

PublicLuxury February 23, 2011 at 1:31 pm

How will this effect the Walker/Koch marriage?

OneDollarJuana February 23, 2011 at 1:35 pm

They'll have two names on the governor's baseball bat.

mereoblivion February 23, 2011 at 2:02 pm

Stupendo.

Rarian Rakista February 23, 2011 at 2:23 pm

I hope the Sanatorum comes off the bat with some Pine Sol.

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 4:06 pm

Like a third leg.

Fare la Volpe February 23, 2011 at 1:35 pm

Crack out the cha-cha pumps and Revlon 'scara, gurls.

We headin' out tonight!

JadedDissonance February 23, 2011 at 1:41 pm

This is totally Barry's style too. He doesn't go all "Surprise Buttsecks" on us, he warms us up, touches us in naughty places, scatters some rose petals, and then starts the real deal. This statement is a few drops of lube lovingly caressed into our bulbous posterior.

GOPCrusher February 23, 2011 at 2:51 pm

I only wish I could give you more than one upfist for the use of the word "bulbous".

Steverino247 February 23, 2011 at 4:18 pm

I think many of us would have preferred for Obama to demand the butter and just do it.

Weenus299 February 23, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Barack-America!

DeeJayKitteh February 23, 2011 at 1:50 pm

So now that Obama has, as the right-wing will claim, single-handedly destroyed the institution of marriage and made teh gay secks mandatory for all U.S. citizens…I call dibs on Mila Kunis.

mereoblivion February 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Me for, oh, I dunno . . . Robert Downey Jr? Or maybe the actor who played Principal Wood in season 7 of Buffy?

SayItWithWookies February 23, 2011 at 1:54 pm

Hey, look who discovered the Constitution. Does it say anything about war crimes in there? How about the section on when international treaties expire due to quaintness?

neiltheblaze February 23, 2011 at 2:00 pm

Ah! The fierce urgency of "Yeah, k, whenever".

VespulaMaculata February 23, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Phyllis Schlafly and Anita Bryant just soiled their Depends.

kittenbomb February 23, 2011 at 2:16 pm

"The statement was sent in a letter to John Boehner…"

And then Joe Biden sent a Post It saying "Suck on that, BONER!"

SayItWithWookies February 23, 2011 at 2:25 pm

Way to go, Mr. President — just don't wait up for a thank-you note from Mary Cheney or anything.

LiveToServeYa February 23, 2011 at 2:37 pm

Wait, was he for it before he was against it before he was for it? I've lost track.

NeedsWants February 23, 2011 at 3:49 pm

If decent Americans were more willing to give up things like 'union negotiations' and 'living wages' to Republicans this kind of filth wouldn't be happening. On a totally unrelated note: Crisco Disco at my place!

wegot2dobetter February 23, 2011 at 3:53 pm

Speak for yourself, Barry can take me slow anyday.

bagofmice February 23, 2011 at 4:03 pm

So I have this unique investment opportunity. It involves a methodology by which we promise to enhance one's P-ness, via some sort of token, like a pill or something. The pill doesn't even matter, but buying the advertising to get the eyeballs of people that believe they need more P-ness is key. This is where your investment comes in. We'll buy ad space on a whole bunch of websites and cable channels to advertise a pill to enhance your P-ness, because obviously if you are visiting these websites/channels, you need some P-ness enhancement. Because there is shame in admitting that you need P-ness enhancement, almost everyone who is a customer will shy away from making public a claim about their failed attempts to enlarge their P-ness using our product. It's a win-win!

JackObin February 23, 2011 at 5:25 pm

It's past time to make ALL marriages illegal. As institutions go, it is a complete failure. Except, of course, for wonderful Republicans like Pugsly Limbaugh.

smashaduck February 23, 2011 at 10:30 pm

Anyone called dibs on Pink yet? Sweeeet…DIBS! Also, sorry bout your marriages being meaningless and all that.

Negropolis February 24, 2011 at 3:09 am

Is there any other kind?

Negropolis February 24, 2011 at 3:17 am

"Awww…you got your gays in my marriage! No, you got your marriage in my gays!"

And, this, my friends, is how we got gay marriage.

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