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Pepper and Lisa Williams outside the Supreme Court Wednesday in supporting the takedown of DOMA. (Photo: Randall Pinkston via Twitter)
DOMA Challenge Reaches Supreme Court
Mar 27, 2013
On Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the second of two same-sex marriage cases before the high court this week.
In United States v. Windsor, the justices will be deciding--not if there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage--but rather, if Congress can legally pass a law that treats same-sex couples who are already married differently from opposite-sex couples.
The suit accuses DOMA of discrimination, claiming that the law violates the Fifth Amendment by preventing legally married gay couples from receiving federal benefits.
Following large and raucous protests on Tuesday, gay rights supporters again rallied in front of the courthouse steps Wednesday.
A decision by the court is not expected until June.
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Tweets about "DOMA OR Freedom #DOMA OR #marriageequality lang:en"
\u201cAin't no party like a #LGBTQ party (vigil, whatevs) #marriageequality @rmnetwork @HRC @glaad @psrberkeley @tweetGTU\u201d— Kris Gallagher AF (@Kris Gallagher AF) 1364398636
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Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
On Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the second of two same-sex marriage cases before the high court this week.
In United States v. Windsor, the justices will be deciding--not if there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage--but rather, if Congress can legally pass a law that treats same-sex couples who are already married differently from opposite-sex couples.
The suit accuses DOMA of discrimination, claiming that the law violates the Fifth Amendment by preventing legally married gay couples from receiving federal benefits.
Following large and raucous protests on Tuesday, gay rights supporters again rallied in front of the courthouse steps Wednesday.
A decision by the court is not expected until June.
_____________________
Tweets about "DOMA OR Freedom #DOMA OR #marriageequality lang:en"
\u201cAin't no party like a #LGBTQ party (vigil, whatevs) #marriageequality @rmnetwork @HRC @glaad @psrberkeley @tweetGTU\u201d— Kris Gallagher AF (@Kris Gallagher AF) 1364398636
_____________________
Lauren McCauley
Lauren McCauley is a former senior editor for Common Dreams covering national and international politics and progressive news. She is now the Editor of Maine Morning Star. Lauren also helped produce a number of documentary films, including the award-winning Soundtrack for a Revolution and The Hollywood Complex, as well as one currently in production about civil rights icon James Meredith. Her writing has been featured on Newsweek, BillMoyers.com, TruthDig, Truthout, In These Times, and Extra! the newsletter of Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting. She currently lives in Kennebunk, Maine with her husband, two children, a dog, and several chickens.
On Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a case that challenges the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the second of two same-sex marriage cases before the high court this week.
In United States v. Windsor, the justices will be deciding--not if there is a constitutional right to same-sex marriage--but rather, if Congress can legally pass a law that treats same-sex couples who are already married differently from opposite-sex couples.
The suit accuses DOMA of discrimination, claiming that the law violates the Fifth Amendment by preventing legally married gay couples from receiving federal benefits.
Following large and raucous protests on Tuesday, gay rights supporters again rallied in front of the courthouse steps Wednesday.
A decision by the court is not expected until June.
_____________________
Tweets about "DOMA OR Freedom #DOMA OR #marriageequality lang:en"
\u201cAin't no party like a #LGBTQ party (vigil, whatevs) #marriageequality @rmnetwork @HRC @glaad @psrberkeley @tweetGTU\u201d— Kris Gallagher AF (@Kris Gallagher AF) 1364398636
_____________________
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