In one small step towards equality, Supreme Court overturns DOMA

On a 5-4 vote, the United States Supreme Court overturned the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the federal law that defines marriage as a heterosexual union, saying it violates the rights of married gay couples by denying them government benefits.

The law “places same-sex couples in an unstable position of being in a second-tier marriage,” Kennedy wrote for the court. “The differentiation demeans the couple, whose moral and sexual choices the Constitution protects, and whose relationship the state has sought to dignify.”

While today’s decision is obviously a step in the right direction towards marriage equality for all, it’s just a step – there’s still a lot of work to be done. Thirty-six states have passed laws or constitutional amendments enshrining bigotry, and so there’s still A LOT of work to be done.

And in related news, my marriage is still intact, despite the assertion by so many conservatives that repealing DOMA (and marriage equality in general) will lead to the breakdown of traditional marriage.

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7 thoughts on “In one small step towards equality, Supreme Court overturns DOMA

  1. And in related news, my marriage is still intact, despite the assertion by so many conservatives that repealing DOMA (and marriage equality in general) will lead to the breakdown of traditional marriage

    Nice touch!

  2. Please note (and tell people) that only Section 3 of DOMA was struck down. Section 2, which allows states to refuse to recognize marriages from other states, is intact. (For now – I am quite sure this will be challenged relatively soon.) I know it’s easier to say “DOMA is gone,” and most of the media are, but that’s not precisely true.

  3. Give it time, Zach. The LGTB community will not be satisfied as they will now still suffer from religious discrimination and will continue to try to enhance their legal and social status anyway possible. Why come out of the closet unless you want to evangelize?

    1. Um…because you want to live as your authentic self? Did you come out as straight in order to evangelize?

    2. Only some religions continue to discriminate against the gay community…and they aren’t that happy with me either…and believe me, I can live with that!

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