On behalf of eight married couples and two widowers in Massachusetts, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD) filed suit in federal court today, challenging the application of the Defense of Marriage Act. People For the American Way Foundation president Kathryn Kolbert issued the following statement:

“It’s long past time for all married couples in Massachusetts to receive equal benefits from the federal government. This is a very limited lawsuit, but it will bring real protections to families who are being denied equal benefits DOMA.

“Unfortunately, we can expect an enormous amount of hyperventilation about this from the Religious Right. I expect them once again to try to scare their followers and make dishonest, threatening predictions about how this will affect heterosexual marriages and kindergarten classes everywhere. And of course they’ll be peddling their usual lies about silencing pastors and outlawing Christianity. I hope that the media will represent this case honestly and fairly, and challenge those who are spreading politically motivated lies.”