CA AJR19

Calls upon Congress and the President of the United States to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law passed September 21, 1996

States that DOMA excludes same-sex couples legally married in California from accessing over 1,000 federal rights and benefits afforded to opposite-sex spouses

Identifies critical denied benefits including immigration sponsorship, Social Security survivors benefits, federal employee health insurance, and joint federal income tax filing

Notes that DOMA allows employers to tax health insurance benefits provided to same-sex spouses while exempting opposite-sex spouse benefits, creating financial detriment to same-sex couples

Authorizes other states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages legally performed in California, preventing protection of these relationships outside state borders