DGA and IATSE commend Congress for passing legislation to respect marriage

DGA and IATSE commend Congress for passing the Respect for Marriage Act, which ensures federal recognition of same-sex and interracial partnerships.

The legislation introduced after the Supreme Court was overturned Deer vs. Wade, received bipartisan support. It passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 258 to 169 and the Senate last week by a vote of 61 to 36, and the bill now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature.

“DGA applauds both houses of Congress for the bipartisan passage of the Respect for Marriage Act and President Biden’s enthusiastic support for the law,” said DGA President Lesli Linka Glatter. “DGA firmly believes in the core values ​​represented in this legislation: support of the LGBTQ+ community and freedom for all by protecting the rights contained in the emblem Obergefell v. Hodges and Loves vs. Virginia Supreme Court rulings guaranteeing legal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriages. We hope that this new law provides both security and opportunity for our members and the many people across America whose lives will be forever positively impacted by this landmark law.

“At a time when our country is being challenged from many quarters,” she continued, “we are deeply grateful for the bipartisan support for this human right by President and Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senator Susan Collins, and Senator Tammy Baldwin. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Thom Tillis, Congressman Jerry Nadler and Congressman David Cicilline, whom we thank for their leadership on this matter.”

IATSE said it also salutes Congress for ensuring the rights of our members and their families, regardless of the ideological bias of current or future US Supreme Court justices. After the bill passed, IATSE’s Pride Committee said, “This bipartisan legislation ensures that couples in love, regardless of race or gender, continue to have the right to marry.”