"Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural, religious and natural roots without weakening the good influence of society. Government, by recognizing and protecting marriage, serves the interests of all. Today I call upon the Congress to promptly pass, and to send to the states for ratification, an amendment to our Constitution defining and protecting marriage as a union of man and woman as husband and wife." -President George W. Bush
"Most Americans believe that gays and lesbians have a right to live as they choose. But they don’t believe they have a right to redefine marriage for our entire society... Americans want our laws to send a positive message to children about marriage, family and their future." -Matt Daniels, president of the Alliance for MarriageGay activists groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union criticize the Federal Marriage Amendment as "the first ever to mandate discrimination against a group of Americans." Opponents to FMA also feel that constitutionally banning gay marriage will only further divide the country and alienate gay and lesbian citizens.
"DOMA was meant to preserve federalism, not to dictate morals from Washington." -Bob Barr, Former Member of Congress and author of DOMA
"Our goal as conservatives should be to avoid creating needless division, and instead let the people alone build their communities without federal interference." -John Hanes, Republican Chairman of the Wyoming Senate Judiciary Committee
Current Groups That Oppose FMA:
Leadership Conference on Civil Rights
American Association of University Professors
American Civil Liberties Union
Anti-Defamation League
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Center for Women Policy Studies
Feminist Majority
Japanese American Citizens League
The Jewish Labor Committee
Labor Council for Latin American Advancement
Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund
National Alliance of Postal and Federal Employees
National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium
National Congress for Community Economic Development
National Council of Jewish Women
National Organization for Women
NOW Legal Defense and Education Fund
Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Presbyterian Church (USA), Washington Office
People For the American Way
Service Employees International Union
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
