--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is…" description: "\"The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless tradition that, like laws against interracial marriage that were finally overturned by the Supreme..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg" --- # The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless… ![“The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless tradition that, like laws against interracial marriage that were finally overturned by the Supreme Court in 1967, undermines the spirit of love and commitment that couples share and sends the wrong message to society.” quote by Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg) > “The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless tradition that, like laws against interracial marriage that were finally overturned by the Supreme Court in 1967, undermines the spirit of love and commitment that couples share and sends the wrong message to society.” [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Defense of Marriage Act is an outdated law, similar to past bans on interracial marriage, that harms love and commitment and sends harmful societal messages. **In simple terms:** Outdated marriage law harms love and sends bad messages. Key Takeaway Advocate for equal marriage rights. Themes equality law love social justice Mood inspirational urgent Type political activist When to use this quote - legislative hearings - court cases - community activism Key Concepts civil rights legal reform Questions to Reflect On - What arguments effectively counter marriage discrimination? - How can public opinion shift toward inclusion? A Different Perspective Legal change may face strong opposition and cultural resistance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) [Defense Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/defense-marriage-270497/) [Interracial marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interracial-marriage/) [Law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/law/) [Laws Interracial](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/laws-interracial-3541643/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love and commitment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-commitment/) [Marriage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage/) [Marriage Act](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marriage-act-345828/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Valueless Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valueless-tradition-3541642/) ## Related quotes > [“In 1967, almost 100 years later, the US Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Loving v Virginia that the Constitution prohibited state laws against interracial marriage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-denning/in-1967-almost-100-years-later-the-us-supreme-court-unanimously-ruled/) [Susan Denning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-denning/) > [California is a bellwether state. California was the first state in the United States to overturn the laws against interracial marriage. It took 19…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gavin-newsom/california-is-a-bellwether-state-california-was-the-first-state-in/) [Gavin Newsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gavin-newsom/) > [I applaud the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-applaud-the-supreme-court-s-decision-to-strike-down-the-defense-of/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I opposed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. It should be repealed and I will vote for its repeal on the Senate floor.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-opposed-the-defense-of-marriage-act-in-1996-it-should-be-repealed/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The principal House sponsor (of the Defense of Marriage Act), Bob Barr of Georgia has been married three times--which raises the question of why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-rich/the-principal-house-sponsor-of-the-defense-of-marriage-act-bob-barr/) [Frank Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-rich/) > [I believe in traditional marriage and I believe in the Defense of Marriage Act.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herman-cain/i-believe-in-traditional-marriage-and-i-believe-in-the-defense-of/) [Herman Cain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herman-cain/) > [If I were in Congress in 1996, I would have voted for the Defense of Marriage Act, which used Congress's constitutional authority to define…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-paul/if-i-were-in-congress-in-1996-i-would-have-voted-for-the-defense-of/) [Ron Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-paul/) > [There was a very strong bipartisan coalition in Congress under President Bill Clinton that passed the Defense of Marriage Act. And you've had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-scalise/there-was-a-very-strong-bipartisan-coalition-in-congress-under/) [Steve Scalise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-scalise/) > [We are wide open and vulnerable and in all likelihood an activist judge will strike down our Defense of Marriage Act, our state law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michele-bachmann/we-are-wide-open-and-vulnerable-and-in-all-likelihood-an-activist/) [Michele Bachmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michele-bachmann/) > [I was one of 14 senators to vote against the Defense of Marriage Act. I thought it was a harsh and unnecessary thing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russ-feingold/i-was-one-of-14-senators-to-vote-against-the-defense-of-marriage-act/) [Russ Feingold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russ-feingold/) > [Gay marriage won't be more of an issue 25 years from now than interracial marriage is today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/gay-marriage-won-t-be-more-of-an-issue-25-years-from-now-than/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Until politicos take a true stand in defense of marriage by proposing an anti-adultery amendment to the Constitution, stop demonizing gays and lesbians when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ridley/until-politicos-take-a-true-stand-in-defense-of-marriage-by-proposing/) [John Ridley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ridley/) > [I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-ve-called-on-congress-to-repeal-the-so-called-defense-of-marriage/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [I support ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country. I believe strongly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-support-ensuring-that-committed-gay-couples-have-the-same-rights/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [We need leaders who will stand unapologetically in defense of marriage and life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-cruz/we-need-leaders-who-will-stand-unapologetically-in-defense-of/) [Ted Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-cruz/) ## More by Jared Polis > [I have a horrible sense of direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/i-have-a-horrible-sense-of-direction/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [I'm too busy thinking what I'm going to say next to remember what I've said, but my staff tells me I'm sometimes funny. Not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/i-m-too-busy-thinking-what-i-m-going-to-say-next-to-remember-what-i/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [We are a diverse country, but we are one country. And we are at our best when we come together as Americans, not despite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/we-are-a-diverse-country-but-we-are-one-country-and-we-are-at-our/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [The federal government has an exceptionally poor record of behaving responsibly with Americans' personal information when entrusted with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/the-federal-government-has-an-exceptionally-poor-record-of-behaving/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [My parents were active in the anti-war movement in the 1960s, so I grew up with a tradition of civic activism around our dinner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/my-parents-were-active-in-the-anti-war-movement-in-the-1960s-so-i/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [I derive a lot of the values that I try to bring into the public sphere from my private faith.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/i-derive-a-lot-of-the-values-that-i-try-to-bring-into-the-public/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Big food companies have their priorities, which include selling cheap, unhealthy foods at high profits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/big-food-companies-have-their-priorities-which-include-selling-cheap/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Negotiating deals among members of Congress is an exercise in wearing masks, scaring up votes, and, oftentimes, bluffing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/negotiating-deals-among-members-of-congress-is-an-exercise-in-wearing/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [We need to prove to American voters, particularly independent voters who gave us this opportunity to lead, that this is not your grandfather's tax-and-spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/we-need-to-prove-to-american-voters-particularly-independent-voters/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Many rogue sites exist to make a profit and others are enormously expensive to maintain. If they don't have the resources to continue stealing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/many-rogue-sites-exist-to-make-a-profit-and-others-are-enormously/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Trying to enforce our out-of-touch laws is as foolish and impossible as trying to enforce a law requiring that water flow uphill.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/trying-to-enforce-our-out-of-touch-laws-is-as-foolish-and-impossible/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [You have 435 people in the United States House of Representatives trying to get along.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/you-have-435-people-in-the-united-states-house-of-representatives/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [Our students are the best investment we can make for our country and our future economic prosperity. It's in our best interest to ensure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/our-students-are-the-best-investment-we-can-make-for-our-country-and/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [If my son had a baseless accusation made against him at a university, and it was making his life there miserable, I would suggest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/if-my-son-had-a-baseless-accusation-made-against-him-at-a-university/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) > [But parents and schools have their priorities; making sure our kids eat right because research shows a clear connection between nutrition and student performance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/but-parents-and-schools-have-their-priorities-making-sure-our-kids/) [Jared Polis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) [Explore all 116 Jared Polis quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/) ## More Commitment quotes > [Deepen your existing spiritual commitment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-buettner/deepen-your-existing-spiritual-commitment/) [Dan Buettner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-buettner/) > [We can find common qualities and common values that have made Britain the country it is. Our belief in tolerance and liberty which shines…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-brown/we-can-find-common-qualities-and-common-values-that-have-made-britain/) [Gordon Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-brown/) > [Certainly these are not easy times. But history does not contain very many easy times. Years from now, we will look back at this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-ingraham/certainly-these-are-not-easy-times-but-history-does-not-contain-very/) [Laura Ingraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-ingraham/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [“You make me believe in happiness... if I had my way, if anything were up to me, I’d never be without you. You are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/courtney-kirchoff/you-make-me-believe-in-happiness-if-i-had-my-way-if-anything-were-up/) [Courtney Kirchoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/courtney-kirchoff/) > [Golf is such a big commitment, and so is acting. Sometimes you have to give up something to do something else, although, when I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kathryn-newton/golf-is-such-a-big-commitment-and-so-is-acting-sometimes-you-have-to/) [Kathryn Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kathryn-newton/) > [All of the barriers to innovation in the energy sector are arguments for a big commitment to public investment. Only the public sector can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-nordhaus/all-of-the-barriers-to-innovation-in-the-energy-sector-are-arguments/) [Ted Nordhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-nordhaus/) > [When you make a commitment to a relationship, you invest your attention and energy in it more profoundly because you now experience ownership of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-de-angelis/when-you-make-a-commitment-to-a-relationship-you-invest-your/) [Barbara De Angelis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-de-angelis/) > [ “For \[erotically intelligent couples\], love is a vessel that contains both security and adventure, and commitment offers one of the great luxuries of life:… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esther-perel/for-erotically-intelligent-couples-love-is-a-vessel-that-contains/) [Esther Perel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/esther-perel/) > [Having a point to start is important. You know that when you decide to write something it's like a commitment. It's like falling in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/having-a-point-to-start-is-important-you-know-that-when-you-decide-to/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [A commitment to lifelong learning is a natural expression of the practice of living consciously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathaniel-branden/a-commitment-to-lifelong-learning-is-a-natural-expression-of-the/) [Nathaniel Branden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathaniel-branden/) > [A lasting relationship consists of the 3 C's: Commitment. Communication. Compromise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/a-lasting-relationship-consists-of-the-3-c-s-commitment-communication/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [I've developed a huge regard for Toyota for its environmental awareness, for its immense commitment to research and development in this field, and for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/i-ve-developed-a-huge-regard-for-toyota-for-its-environmental/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [And the commitment that I've been giving to the Australian people is that there'll be no surprises and no excuses under a Coalition government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-abbott/and-the-commitment-that-i-ve-been-giving-to-the-australian-people-is/) [Tony Abbott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-abbott/) > [As a result of reading science fiction when I was eight, I grew up with an interest in music, architecture, city planning, transportation, politics,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-bradbury/as-a-result-of-reading-science-fiction-when-i-was-eight-i-grew-up/) [Ray Bradbury](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-bradbury/) [Browse all 4,004 Commitment quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/commitment/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless tradition that, like laws against interracial marriage that were finally overturned by the Supreme Court in 1967, undermines the spirit of love and commitment that couples share and sends the wrong message to society.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jared Polis" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is-a-valueless-tradition-that/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Commitment" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is-a-valueless-tradition-that/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/60d/jared-polis-4096_commitment_the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is_393013.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The so-called Defense of Marriage Act is a valueless tradition that, like laws against interracial marriage…” — Jared Polis", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Jared Polis", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jared-polis/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The so-called Defense of Marriage Act...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is-a-valueless-tradition-that/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jared-polis/the-so-called-defense-of-marriage-act-is-a-valueless-tradition-that/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```