On December 14, 2022, President Biden signed the Respect for Marriage Act (the “Act”) repealing the Defense of Marriage Act (“DOMA”). The Act mandates that all states, United States territories and possessions, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the federal government (hereinafter “States” or “State”) must recognize as valid any marriage between two individuals if such marriage was valid in the State where such marriage occurred. Pursuant to the Act, no person, acting under color of State law may deny the laws of any other State pertaining to an act, record, judicial proceeding, right, or claim, arising from a marriage between two individuals based upon the sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin of those individuals. Further, the Act contains provisions allowing for enforcement of these civil rights by the United States Attorney General or a private person harmed by a violation of the Act. The Act does not require recognition of polygamous marriages, nor does it require religious organizations to solemnize or celebrate marriages that violate their principles. Click To Read More…
