The Supreme Court issued a pair of opinions today that bolstered same sex marriage and gay rights in the United States by striking down the Defense of Marriage Act and denying an appeal by supporters of California’s Proposition 8.
A 5-4 vote that nullified DOMA will immediately allow federal benefits to be extended to same sex couples. The court also declined to hear an appeal that sought to overturn a lower court’s ruling on California’s same sex marriage ban.
Joyous reactions from supporters of same sex marriage included Edith Windsor– the plaintiff in the case against DOMA (United States v. Windsor) who fought to secure benefits for her and her spouse Thea Spyer, who died in 2009. The New Yorker published candid shots of her reaction to the news as well as a call made to her by President Obama.
Opponents to the rulings, however, said they would continue to support a tradition definition of marriage, with Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS) promising to file a constitutional amendment to restore DOMA. Prop 8 supporters also vowed to fight on, with Chapman University law professor John Eastman saying, “This is far from over, I can tell you.”
For more on the continuing fight between supporters and opponents of same sex marriage in the United States, check out our updated FORA.tv series.
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