Gillibrand, Nadler confident that Congress will repeal DOMA

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Jerrold Nadler said Thursday's ruling by a New York Appeals court that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional will help boost gay rights bills in Congress.

Nadler has been pushing his Respect for Marriage Act, which would eliminate DOMA nationally, for years and said that it has been gaining steam from the growing demand of constituents who want equal rights.

"Looking at where we are now, it is amazing to see how much the issue has changed," he told LGBT activists at a meeting Sunday at the midtown offices of the nonprofit Gay Men's Health Crisis.

Under DOMA, the federal government doesn't recognize same-sex marriages that took place in countries or states where they are legal.

Gillibrand, who fought to repeal the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, told the activists Sunday the best way to promote their efforts is to share the stories of gay couples who tied the knot after years of waiting.

"Whenever you have people telling these stories, that changes public opinion," she said.