FBANC Statement on Passage of Respect for Marriage Act
December 21, 2022
The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (“FBANC”) commends President Joseph R. Biden for signing the Respect for Marriage Act on December 13, 2022, which codifies protections for same-sex and interracial couples and repeals the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. FBANC recognizes that the law does not impart a right to marry, and instead mandates interstate recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage. Yet, FBANC views the Respect for Marriage Act as an important step in the right direction in preserving fundamental rights of marginalized communities, especially in light of Justice Clarence Thomas’s deeply troubling concurrence in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health urging the Supreme Court to reconsider precedents protecting contraceptive and LGBTQ+ rights.
“Make no mistake. The well-established rights of the most marginalized in this country, particularly low-income individuals and Queer, Transgender, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (QTBIPOC), are grossly under attack. Where the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs reflects a blatant disregard for stare decisis and eviscerates protections for the most vulnerable, the legislature must step in to defend and secure those rights. For many, these laws are a matter of life and death. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I applaud Congress and President Biden for this vital legislation, and urge our community to continue advocating for equity and justice because the fight is far from over,” said FBANC President Raymond R. Rollan.
As a professional organization committed to promoting human rights, civil liberties, racial equity, and inclusivity for all, FBANC stands in support of those working to uplift and defend fundamental constitutional rights. FBANC reaffirms its commitment to the protection of interracial marriage and LGBTQ+ rights and those who rely on those rights. For more information about the Respect for Marriage Act, please check https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/8404.
Contact FBANC President Raymond Rollan raymondrollan@fbanc.org and FBANC Director Idrian Mollaneda idrianmollaneda@fbanc.org for more information.
