Breaking News

Attorney General Eric Holder Expands Rights of Same-Sex Married Couples
Download PDF
1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars5 Stars (No Ratings Yet)
Loading...

Attorney General Eric Holder announced widespread changes within the U.S. Justice Department to bring the rights of legally married same-sex couples at par with legally married heterosexual couples. The changes were unveiled by Holder in a speech at New York and include rights like that of same-sex married partners not being compelled to testify against each other in civil and criminal cases.

Holder said, “In every courthouse, in every proceeding, and in every place where a member of the Department of Justice stands on behalf of the United States, they will strive to ensure that same-sex marriages receive the same privileges, protections, and rights as opposite-sex marriages under federal law.”

  
What
Where


Policy changes that are expected to go into effect include:

  • Enabling same-sex married couples to jointly file for bankruptcy
  • Enabling homosexual prisoners spousal visitation rights and furloughs during family emergencies
  • Implementing the policy that a gay spouse cannot be compelled to testify against one another if the case of the other spouse is damaged
  • Married same-sex couples will enjoy the same domestic support obligations under federal law as heterosexual married couples including rights to alimony under federal law
  • Same-sex spouses will receive benefits where a partner, who is a public safety officer suffers an injury or is killed in the line of duty
  • Same-sex spouses will receive all public benefits that heterosexual spouses are eligible to including receiving benefits from 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, where eligible

Holder said he will be immediately issuing a memo so that the new policies find immediate implementation.

The decision of the DOJ will tip the balance in favor of gay marriages in those states where same-sex marriages are still not recognized. Currently, same-sex marriage is permitted only in 17 states and the District of Columbia, though each day laws prohibiting same-sex marriages are being struck down in federal courts.

Get JD Journal in Your Mail

Subscribe to our FREE daily news alerts and get the latest updates on the most happening events in the legal, business, and celebrity world. You also get your daily dose of humor and entertainment!!




Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, a staunch opponent of legalizing same-sex marriages, said, “The news that the Justice Department will extend sweeping recognition to ‘marriages’ of same-sex couples, even in states that do not recognize such unions, is yet another illustration of the lawlessness of this administration.”





 

RELEVANT JOBS

TAX/ESTATE PLANNING LAWYER

USA-CA-Palm Desert

1. Opening For Tax/Estate Planning Lawyer.  We have an opening for a tax/estate planning lawyer...

Apply now

Family Law Associate Attorney

USA-TX-Southlake

Beal Law Firm, an award-winning, 33 year old law practice dedicated exclusively to Family Law, ...

Apply now

Associate Attorney - Litigation

USA-NJ-Moorestown

O’Brien, Belland & Bushinsky is seeking motivated attorneys for multiple associate positions w...

Apply now

Legal Administrator

USA-NV-Las Vegas

Established Personal Injury Law Firm seeks a Legal Administrator. It is a requirement to have pri...

Apply now

BCG FEATURED JOB

Locations:

Keyword:



Search Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with ...

Apply Now

Education Law Attorney

USA-CA-Carlsbad

Carlsbad office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law attorney with 4-...

Apply Now

Education Law and Public Entity Attorney

USA-CA-El Segundo

El Segundo office of a BCG Attorney Search Top Ranked Law Firm seeks an education law and public ent...

Apply Now

Most Popular

SEARCH IN ARCHIVE

To Top