NEW: Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA
Wednesday, June 26, 2013
The Supreme Court has struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that prohibits federal recognition of same-sex marriage.
In a 5-4 ruling, the court struck Section 3, a provision of DOMA that denies federal benefits -- like Social Security benefits or the ability to file joint tax returns -- to same-sex couples legally married.
"DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Supreme Court's ruling today will immediately impact 130,000 legally married same-sex couples who were previously denied federal benefits under Section 3. The reach of the Court's decision is considerable, as DOMA affects more than 1,000 federal laws, including veterans' benefits, family medical leave and tax laws.
The historic ruling comes within slightly more than a month of Rhode Island's passing of its own Marriage Equality law, allowing same-sex couples to marry legally in the state. The law, supported by Governor Lincoln Chafee, was signed into law in May, 2013.
Ray Sullivan: Rhode Island Marriage Equality
"It's an enormous victory," said Ray Sullivan, director of Rhode Island Marriage Equality. "It's a joyous day for loving committed couples and their families. It's a further affirmation of the American ideal that all of us should be recognized and respected equally in the eyes of the law. Today the court affirmed that."
Sullivan said that today's ruling means that all couples "can better protect one another and their kids, as they will finally be included under federal protection and the safety net--the unique protections that only marriage can afford."
Governor Chafee
Governor Chafee issued the following statement regarding the ruling:
All those who value the American ideals of tolerance, fairness, respect for diversity, and equal protection under the law should be heartened by this morning’s historic decision, which struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).
For the nearly two decades that DOMA was the law of the land in our country, discrimination and unequal treatment were, regrettably, given legal legitimacy. Today’s decision, therefore, is a meaningful, positive development in the long and ongoing story of the United States as the freest country on earth.
I am pleased that we were recently able to secure passage of marriage equality here in Rhode Island, and the Supreme Court’s decision today will extend federal benefits and protections to same-sex Rhode Island couples who choose to marry.
As I have said before, public opinion is rapidly evolving on this issue, and laws at the local, state, and federal level increasingly reflect that evolution. I am confident that the push for equality will continue to grow stronger in state houses, court houses, and polling places in every state in America. But today’s decision, in the highest court in the land, is a significant victory and no small step forward for our country.
Congressman David Cicilline
U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline (D-RI), a co-chair of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, issued the following statement:
Today’s Supreme Court decisions affirm that bigotry and discrimination are inconsistent with our great American values and will not be tolerated in our country, and that, as we have expressed since the days of our founding, every American is created equal. With the Court standing on the right side of history, today’s opinion will have real benefits for loving, committed couples in Rhode Island and across our nation and the federal government will no longer refuse to recognize the civil institution of marriage based on a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
At the same time, all advocates for equality recognize that our work continues at the federal level until each of the 50 states recognizes the basic equality of all Americans, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. I look forward to continuing this fight in the weeks and months ahead.
Speaker Gordon Fox
Following is a statement issued today by Speaker of the House of Representatives Gordon D. Fox on the decision:
This ruling shows that our nation’s highest court has recognized what I have been advocating for many years: that all citizens are guaranteed equal protections. Rhode Island took the historic step to recognize all marriages beginning on August 1, and this ruling means that our state’s married couples will enjoy all state and federal rights and protections. This is wonderful news and shows that the march toward equality throughout the land is gaining further momentum.
