Community Corner
Talk Back: Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA
Court rules that the Defense of Marriage Act, which bars the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, is unconstitutional.
This article was written by Ryan Bonner.
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married, is unconstitutional, according to the Huffington Post.
"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,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. “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.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, said Wednesday was "a historic day for our country on its long march towards upholding the fundamental values this country was founded upon of fairness, equality and justice. I am overjoyed the Supreme Court has ruled to end the discrimination that had been enshrined into U.S. law."
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to strike down DOMA, which was signed by President Clinton in 1996.
Justice Antonin Scalia was among the minority, arguing that the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided through the legislative branch and not the courts, according to the New York Times.
The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to same-sex couples who are legally married, is unconstitutional, according to the Huffington Post.
"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,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion. “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.”
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, said Wednesday was "a historic day for our country on its long march towards upholding the fundamental values this country was founded upon of fairness, equality and justice. I am overjoyed the Supreme Court has ruled to end the discrimination that had been enshrined into U.S. law."
The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to strike down DOMA, which was signed by President Clinton in 1996.
Justice Antonin Scalia was among the minority, arguing that the issue of same-sex marriage should be decided through the legislative branch and not the courts, according to the New York Times.
“In the majority’s telling, this story is black-and-white: Hate your neighbor or come along with us,” Scalia wrote in his dissent. “The truth is more complicated.”
What is your opinion? Do you agree with Supreme Court's decision to strike down DOMA? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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