The Southern Poverty Law Center Applauds President Biden’s Signing of the Respect for Marriage Act

WASHINGTON – Today, President Biden signed HR 8404, the Respect for Marriage Act, repealing the discriminatory 1996 Defense of Marriage Act and providing federal protection for same-sex and interracial marriages. 

The following statement is from Scott McCoy, interim deputy legal director, LGBTQ+ Rights & Special Litigation for the Southern Poverty Law Center:

“The Southern Poverty Law Center applauds President Biden for promptly signing the Respect for Marriage Act into law. We also applaud the bipartisan majority in the House and Senate who shepherded this historic legislation through, with support from the business and religious communities.

“For millions of marriages in the U.S., love has finally won over hate and equality over discrimination. Now we must continue our efforts to provide legal protection for LGBTQ+ community members facing attacks and discrimination in schools and in the workplace.”