This week, downstate New York Congressman Jerrold Nadler did a great thing. He introduced H.R. 3567, the Respect for Marriage Act. The legislation, if passed, would overturn the infamous Defense of Marriage Act, a law passed late last century which enables the federal government to deny equal protection under the law to same sex couples.

Sadly, only one third of the Democrats in the House of Representatives supports this bill, the rest have declined to sign their names as cosponsors.

14 members of New York State’s delegation have not supported the Respect for Marriage Act. 11 of these 14 are Democrats. They are

Timothy Bishop
Steve Israel
Carolyn McCarthy
Joe Crowley
John Hall
Scott Murphy
Michael Arcuri
Brian Higgins
Louise Slaughter
Eric Massa

These Democrats who have declined to support the repeal of DOMA could be effectively targeted by the Green Party in the 2010 congressional elections through a focus on LGBT equality on marriage and other issues. The Green Party of New York State supports equality for all people, regardless of sexual orientation, without equivocation.