A majority of Americans oppose the
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the 1996 law which prevents the
federal government from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and
lesbian couples.
According to a
national survey released Tuesday and commissioned by the Center
for American Progress (CAP) and Gay & Lesbian Advocates and
Defenders (GLAD), 59 percent of registered voters oppose DOMA.
Opposition is strongest among
African-Americans (61%), followed by Hispanics (61) and whites (57%).
When asked if “it is discriminatory
for the federal government to deny marriage protections and benefits
to legally married same-sex couples,” 62 percent of respondents
answered yes.
A majority (52%) of respondents also
said they support marriage rights for gay couples.
President Barack Obama supports a
legislative effort to repeal the law. However, that approach is not
expected to make any headway under the current Republican-controlled
House.
One of two Supreme Court cases related
to marriage seeks to strike down portions of DOMA. The court is
expected to hear United States v. Windsor next month and hand
down a ruling in June.