School to Host Conversation on Defense of Marriage Act

The following was provided to Patch:

Greene Street Friends School (GSFS), a Quaker Pre-K through 8 school in the Germantown section of Philadelphia, is opening its doors to the community for a conversation about the Defense of Marriage Act and its impact on Pennsylvania citizens. The program will take place on Thursday, December 5, 7pm at the Greene Street Friends School Meetinghouse, 45 W. School House Lane, Philadelphia, PA 19144. It is free and open to the public.

In July 2013, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Pennsylvania, and volunteer attorneys from the law firm of Hangley Aronchick filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of 23 Pennsylvanians who wish to marry in Pennsylvania or want the Commonwealth to recognize their out-of-state marriages. The lawsuit alleges that the state's Defense of Marriage Act and refusal to marry lesbian and gay couples or recognize their out-of-state marriages violates the fundamental right to marry, as well as the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. Plaintiffs argue that the court should closely scrutinize this discriminatory treatment based on gender and sexual orientation.

Among the 23 people involved in the lawsuit are several members of the GSFS community; a grandmother of a current student, and the parents of an alumna. As part of the program on December 5, they will share their personal stories about how DOMA has affected their lives. They will also be joined by Molly Tack-Hooper of the ACLU-PA, who will discuss the legal merits of the federal lawsuit. The evening’s program is an opportunity people to better understand the details, ramifications and limitations of DOMA in our state, as well as to have an open discussion in a supportive environment.

“One of our missions at Greene Street Friends School is to welcome people of all backgrounds into our school,” said Ed Marshall, head of school for GSFS. “When we realized there were members of our own community involved in this case we thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to show our support, while at the same time help others in the community to better understand the impact of DOMA on gay and lesbian families in Pennsylvania.” 

PLEASE JOIN US FOR: 

A Conversation On Equality

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Program at 7:00pm

Cookies and Conversation at 8:00pm

Greene Street Friends School Meetinghouse

45 W. School House Lane