First Victory in GLAD's DOMA Case

The Department of Justice sent a letter to GLAD stating that the State Department has "amended the relevant provision of its Foreign Affairs Manual ("FAM") to provide for the issuance of passports in a new name based on a legal name change recognized under state law." Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) filed Gill v. Office of Personnel Management, a lawsuit challenging section 3 of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in March 2009. Prior to this change, the federal government refused to update individuals' names on passports based on state marriage certificates for same-sex couples because of DOMA. For more information regarding Gill, visit http://www.glad.com/doma, or for more information regarding this victory, see GLAD's press release.