Quigley, Gutierrez, Schakowsky to hold hearing on DOMA

Tue. October 4, 2011 2:14 PM by GoPride.com News Staff

rep. mike quigley

photo credit // jay shaff

Members of Congress to hear testimony from couples and legal experts on same-sex marriage

Chicago, IL - Rep. Mike Quigley, Rep. Luis V. Gutierrez, and Rep. Jan Schakowsky will hear testimony from several witnesses on Friday, October 7, 2011 at City Hall in Chicago.

The Congressional field forum is investigating the impact of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), specifically the denial of federal benefits to same-sex couples and their families in Illinois and around the country, and to review DOMA's constitutionality and current court cases.

Four couples and two legal experts, Camilla Taylor (National Marriage Project Director and Senior Attorney, Lambda Legal) and Gail H. Morse (Tax Attorney/Partner, Jenner & Block, LLP) are to participate. Among those testifying will be Trish and Kate Varnum, who were the named plaintiffs in the 2009 Iowa Supreme Court decision that legalized same-sex marriage in the state of Iowa. Ald. James Cappleman (46th Ward, Chicago), celebrating 20 years with his partner, will also testify.

Several organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), Equality Illinois, Heartland Alliance/National Immigrant Justice Center, CBA LGBT Committee, and the LGBT Immigration Coalition, will be submitting testimony in writing.

The hearing is scheduled for 10:00am – 11:30am in the City Council Chambers, 121 N. LaSalle Street, Chicago.
 

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