It's All About Respecting and Restoring

Finally, I see evidence that gay equality advocates are reclaiming and reframing the marriage equality debate by using powerful and positive words such as respect and restore.

I see this in the PR surrounding the introduction of the Respect for Marriage Act (RMA), which would "repeal the discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and restore the rights of all lawfully married couples—including same-sex couples to receive the benefits of marriage under federal law. The bill also provides same-sex couples with certainty that federal benefits and protections would flow from a valid marriage celebrated in a state where such marriages are legal, even if a couple moves or travels to another state."

How many federal rights would then go to legally married gay couples? A Government Accounting Office (GAO) report cites exactly 1,138 instances in federal law in which marital status is cited.

Kudos goes to lead sponsors in the House of Congress include Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Chair of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Congressman Jared Polis (D-CO) -- as well as 90 initial co-sponsors!