Lloyd Harbor pol defends same-sex marriage

WASHINGTON -- Congressional Democrats on Wednesday began a push to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act by filing legislation and by featuring the personal stories of married same-sex couples, including Suffolk County Legis. Jon Cooper and his partner of three decades.

Democrats filed bills in both chambers to repeal the act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman, just weeks after President Barack Obama declared it unconstitutional and said his administration would no longer defend it. The "Respect for Marriage Act" would give legally married same-sex couples the same benefits as opposite-sex couples under federal law.

"The right to get married and to start a family is a basic human right, a right that must be shared by all Americans," Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) said at a news conference.

The bill's sponsors urged gay and lesbian couples to tell their stories in a campaign to win over the American public.

Cooper, a Lloyd Harbor Democrat whose partner, Robert, held a photo of their five children, emphasized the importance of marriage.

"Gay and lesbian couples view marriage as a public expression of the private commitment that we made to the one we love," said Cooper, the legislative majority leader. "But it's more than that. Marriage is also a very important tool and institution to protect our families."

He became emotional as he told the story of taking his then-6-year-old son Christopher to the hospital for what turned out to be surgery on a life-threatening brain tumor.

"If anyone were to tell us we were not a family . . ." he said before choking up. "I mean this is America, for God's sake. We all should be treated equally."

The couple tied the knot in 2009 in Connecticut, where same-sex marriage is legal, Cooper said. They adopted at birth five children, now aged 16 to 25, during their 30 years together.

The repeal faces opposition and appears likely to be a campaign wedge issue in the 2012 presidential race.

No Republicans signed onto the bills sponsored by Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan). After Obama's Feb. 23 announcement, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) backed a move for the House to defend the act, and others filed bills to bolster the marriage act.

But Gillibrand said, "Just as we ended nearly 20 years of injustice in our military when we repealed 'don't ask, don't tell,' I know we will prevail for marriage equality too."