Some fear plan could delay marriage progress; Frank says DOMA repeal unlikely in new president's first term

By LOU CHIBBARO JR.
JAN. 30, 2009

QuoteActivists following the Obama proposal said it could become controversial within the gay community if Congress refuses to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, but moves ahead with legislation providing marriage-related rights only for civil unions and domestic partnerships.

"This could turn into another pitched battle among gays similar to the one we had over whether ENDA should include protections for transgender Americans," said one activist, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

A split among gays occurred nearly two years ago over whether the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, or ENDA, which initially called for barring employment discrimination based on sexual orientation, should extend the protections to gender identity. A gay-only version of the bill passed the House of Representatives but stalled in the Senate.

A gay- and trans-inclusive version of the bill, which Obama supports, is expected to come up for a vote in Congress later this year.