Support the Respect for Marriage Act

November 15th, 2022

Dear Senators:

Together we, the signatories of this letter, write in support of the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404/S. 4556) representing a diversity of health, education, and human services organizations and professional associations that provide public assistance, research and lifesaving services and care to nearly every community in the United States. Fairness, equal treatment, and opportunity are central to our values because we care about our clients and patients, their families and the communities we serve. Americans from all walks of life, across demographics, geographies, and party lines agree that loving, committed couples have the right to be respected and protected under the law. Support for marriage equality for same-sex couples and interracial couples is at an all-time high – with vast majorities of the public supporting these policies. As many of us highlighted in our support for Marriage Equality in 2015, a patchwork of inconsistent and discriminatory state marriage laws perpetuates stigma and disparity which harms the health, mental health, and economic wellbeing of those impacted.

This is why we support the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Codifying a consistent and inclusive federal standard conferred by the Loving, Windsor, and Obergefell rulings will help to ensure marriage equality, stability for couples and their families, and reduce stigma. No person, including same-sex couples and interracial couples protected by this bill, should fear their marriage will not be recognized by thefederal government or their employment benefits threatened.

Our organizations strongly embrace diversity and inclusion because we want everyone we serve to feel included and welcomed as their true, authentic selves. Strong families are the foundation of our social fabric, and fair and equitable treatment for all families, under the law, will lead to improved health and well-being, economic and educational opportunities, and to a better future for future generations. As health, education, and human services providers committed to inclusion and equality for our clients and patients, their families, and the communities we serve, we call on the Senate to pass the Respect for Marriage Act.

Signed:

AIDS United
American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network
American College of Physicians
American Counseling Association
American Federation of Teachers
American Medical Student Association
American Medical Women’s Association
American Occupational Therapy Association
American Psychological Association
American Public Health Association
Association for Prevention Teaching and Research
Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
Big Cities Health Coalition
BOOST Collaborative
Coalition to Transform Advanced Care
Colorado Public Health Association
Connecticut Public Health Association
Council of Administrators of Special Education
Florida Public Health Association
Futures Without Violence
GLMA: Health Professionals Advancing LGBTQ+ Equality
Healthcare Ready
Healthy Teen Network
HIV Medicine Association
Illinois Public Health Association
Indiana Public Health Association
LGBTQ Health Caucus of the American Public Health Association
Maine Public Health Association
Maryland Public Health Association
Matthew Shepard Foundation
Minnesota Public Health Association
Missouri Public Health Association
NASTAD
National Association of School Psychologists
National Education Association
National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association
National Network of Public Health Institutes
National Safety Council
Network of Jew
ish Human Service Agencies
Nevada Public Health Association
New Jersey Public Health Association
New Mexico Public Health Association
New York State Public Health Association
Pennsylvania Public Health Association
Prevent Blindness
Prevention Institute
Public Health Institute
Research!America
School Social Work Association of America
Society of Pediatric Nurses
The Gerontological Society of America
Transgender Resource
Center of New Mexico
Vermont Public Health Association
Wisconsin Public Health Association