CARNAL NATION

Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD), a nonprofit legal group in Massachusetts, filed the first major challenge to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) last week. GLAD's lawsuit specifically targets section 3 of DOMA, which prevents the federal government from granting protections or benefits to same-sex couples, even if they were legally married in their home state. Blogger Pam Spaulding writes that she questions the timing of the suit: "...a federal challenge to DOMA only fuels the fire for the Religious Right, which will capitalize on this to stir up trouble in states that don't have an amendment—like North Carolina. The fundies are already energized.... The lawsuit may have unintended and undesirable consequences for those of us fighting other battles."