Defense of Marriage Act Threatens Healthy Relationships

COMMENTARY | While some of our conservative politicians do not support same-sex marriage, the Defense of Marriage Act was signed into law by Democrat President Bill Clinton. Clinton said that although he opposed any kind of discrimination, including discrimination against gays and lesbians, he had long opposed federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

While half of the marriages between a man and a woman end in divorce and multiple marriages are almost commonplace in America, the 19-year relationship of two men who have loved and supported each other may be forced to an end by the U.S. government.

At the end of last month, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services denied the application of Anthony John Makk, an Australian citizen, to live permanently in the United States. Makk and his partner, Bradford Wells, an American citizen, were legally married in Massachusetts seven years ago, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

The couple has lived together for 19 years in a San Francisco apartment. Makk is the primary caregiver for his spouse, who has AIDS, and experiences severe health issues related to the disease.

Makk has asked that his application for permanent residency be considered on the basis that he is the spouse of an American citizen; that application was denied based on the Defense of Marriage Act. Makk has been ordered to leave the United States by Aug. 25.

What makes this even more heart-wrenching is that Makk has followed every letter of the law. He has been an outstanding and law-abiding citizen who started a San Francisco-based business and also invested in rental property.

President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have said the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional and their administration will not defend it; however, House Republicans hired outside counsel to defend the legislation.

Why anyone feels that these men who have endured many challenges yet remained together all of these years would threaten the marriage of a man and a woman is beyond me. Rep. Michele Bachmann is one of a number of politicians who is staunchly against same-sex marriage. If Bachmann is elected president, she would go as far as adding a constitutional amendment that would ban and reverse all same-sex marriage.

On Fox News, Bachmann stated, "States have, under the 10th Amendment, the right to pass any law they like. Also, federal officials at the federal level have the right to also put forth a constitutional amendment," according to Towleroad.

When will people like Bachmann and other extreme conservatives, such as Texas Gov. Rick Perry, realize people who love each other are not a threat to marriage? The true threat to America and the institution of marriage comes from hateful messages such as the one sent by our government to a happy and loving couple like Makk and Wells.