Gay rights supporters across the country had reason to celebrate Wednesday after the Supreme Court’s ruling to eliminate the Defense of Marriage Act.
The legislation, signed into law 17 years ago by President Bill Clinton, prohibited those in same-sex marriages from receiving federal protections including disability, housing, and Social Security benefits. In a 5-4 vote, Justice Anthony Kennedy and the four liberal justices on the Supreme Court ruled in favor of 84-year-old plaintiff Edie Windsor, by declaring DOMA unconstitutional. That decision clears the way for legally married same-sex couples to receive full federal benefits.
The high court also paved the way for gay marriage to resume in California, essentially turning away Prop 8 defenders, on the grounds that they did not have the legal standing to appeal an earlier ruling.
Tonight, we’ll bring you all the reaction and analysis from Wednesday’s landmark SCOTUS decisions. Tune in at 10 pm ET.
- Supreme Court bolsters gay marriage with two major rulings
- For gay rights, focus now turns to 37 states
- The odd couple that cleared the way for same-sex marriage in California
- Photos: Marriage equality celebrations sweep the country
- Conservatives at crossroads on gay marriage
- Bye-bye DOMA. Hello marriage equality
- Nancy Pelosi owns Michele Bachmann on gay marriage
- Texas abortion bill fails after filibuster effort
- For Wendy Davis, standing up to the GOP is nothing new
- Poll: 48% of Americans support 20 week abortion bill
- Ecuador decision on Snowden could take months
MS NOW staff