WASHINGTON, D.C. –– U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

“The Supreme Court today upheld our Constitution’s guarantees of equality,” Brown said. “For the next generation of Americans, for the military families who have supported servicemembers in the shadows, and couples who have dedicated their lives to one another for decades, this historic ruling proves that our American future is not defined by yesterday’s inequality.”

Sen. Brown is a longtime supporter of LGBT equality. He is one of just eight sitting senators who voted against the controversial Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 1996 – during his service as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Earlier this year, as the Supreme Court heard arguments on the DOMA, he joined an amicus brief asking the Court to overturn the law. DOMA, which prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriages, also denies LGBT couples many of the federal benefits and protections that other married couples enjoy.

In April, Brown met with members of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) from across Ohio to discuss the issues affecting the lives of millions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Americans – including marriage equality, school safety, and an end to workplace discrimination.  

Brown supports equality of opportunity for all Americans and has previously cosponsored the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), the Student Nondiscrimination Act (SNDA), and the Safe Schools Improvement Act to end discrimination and bullying.

In December 2010, Brown was the first senator to deliver an “It Gets Better” speech from the Senate Floor, which may be viewed here.

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