Federal DOMA bars FEMA from providing hurricane relief to same-sex couples

September 01, 2005

365Gay.com
September 1, 2005
Same-sex couples suffering from hurricane Katrina's destruction are being denied any relief in the form of family benefits, because the federal so-called "Defense of Marriage Act" and the states's exclusion of gay couples from marriage prevent FEMA from providing it. Additionally, Louisiana has a constitutional amendment discriminating against same-sex couples that also prevents the state from recognizing any legal status for domestic partnerships or civil unions. Mississippi and Alabama also discriminate — through anti-gay measures adopted while government officials neglected work that might have saved lives. [link]