REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT

WHEREAS, under the Defense of Marriage Act, Public Law 104-199, 110 Stat. 2419, the federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states, and this has resulted in discriminatory tax practices against persons in same-sex relationships; and

WHEREAS, under the Defense of Marriage Act, or of any ruling, regulation or interpretation of the various administrative bureaus and agencies of the United States, the word "marriage" means only a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife, and the word "spouse" refers only to a person of the opposite sex who is husband or wife:

RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers call for the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act, Public Law 104-199 Stat. 2419; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT executive council work with its national affiliates to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act; and

RESOLVED, that once the Defense of Marriage Act is repealed, efforts be made to ensure that all discriminatory interpretations of the IRS Code be eliminated with special attention to the imputed income for health benefits of persons in same-sex relationships.