Community Corner

Couple Fights Discrimination Against Same-Sex Marriage

Their goal is to see the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

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By Lisa Lenkiewicz

Brad Kleinerman and James “Flint” Gehre of Avon, Connecticut, have been together for 22 years and married since 2009. They consider themselves fortunate to live in a state where gay marriage is legal. But they want the same rights and responsibilities granted to other married couples by the federal government.

The couple, who have three children — ages 22, 21 and 12 — are plaintiffs in a national lawsuit filed by GLAD (Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders) in 2010, protesting the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). The act defines marriage as between a man and woman. They achieved a victory in 2012, when a federal judge ruled that DOMA is unconstitutional and violates the Fifth Amendment, which ensures the right to equal protection.

Kleinerman updated Patch about their attempts to have DOMA struck down.

What's a goal you're trying to achieve right now? 

Our goal is to see the defeat of the Defense of Marriage Act so that our family receives the same respect from the Federal Government as any other family. There are more than 1,000 federal laws that impact us because our marriage is not recognized by the Federal Government. DOMA denies pensions to the surviving spouses of federal employees, prevents spouses from taking Family Medical Leave to care for one another during serious illness, separates bi-national couples, denies military spouses support and benefits, and costs thousands of dollars for families when spouses cannot file federal taxes jointly as married. DOMA singles out gay people and our relationships as unequal, thus inviting discrimination from others and telling our children their families are second class. 

What inspired you to take on this challenge? 

Our inspiration to be involved in equality is from our belief we need to stand up for what we feel is right. DOMA says that we are not married, we are not a family, and that we have to be treated differently than our relatives, friends and neighbors. That does not make sense and is not fair.

Do you think you have succeeded?

Our case - Pedersen vs. Office of Personnel Management- is still making its way through the court system. It is our hope that the current cases being decided by the Supreme Court will be upheld and once again show that DOMA is unconstitutional and ultimately struck down. When DOMA no longer exists, we will have greater peace of mind when it comes to our family. As the parents of three kids, we have enough to worry about. 

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