Today, the Federal Supreme Court struck down section three of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which prevented the federal government from recognizing same-sex couples.
In a five to four ruling, the highest court in the land declared DOMA unconstitutional.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion, “The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity. By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.”
The act, which was signed into law in 1996 by President Bill Clinton, prevented same-sex marriages from seeking numerous benefits given to heterosexual couples—including the ability to file joint taxes, shared health benefits and more.
Today’s decision will have a major affect for the nation’s 130,000 legally married same-sex couples. As CBS reports, the overturned act will affect nearly 1,100 current federal laws.
With such a significant ruling in our nation’s history, how do you feel about the decision? Leave your thoughts down below.
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