Tag Archives: DOMA

The U.S. Supreme Court is still deciding the legal rights in gay marriages. The high court is expected to announce its rulings in June on whether the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples, and California’s ban on gay marriages (Proposition 8) are unconstitutional. Meanwhile, different states continue their own disputes on the issue. As Lawyers.com reported, the Illinois attorney general and Cook County clerk are refusing to defend their state’s law that …

The U.S. Supreme Court heard two hours of arguments today over the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. Opponents of the 1996 law argue that excluding gay couples from federal marriage benefits is unconstitutional under the Fifth Amendment, which states that the federal government must not deprive people of “life, liberty, or property” while implying equality under the law. DOMA was ruled unconstitutional twice last year, first in a decision rendered by the 1st U.S. …

By Larry Bodine, Editor in Chief, Lawyers.com Editorial We are on the threshold of a historic decision on individual rights by the Supreme Court of the United States as it considers two cases involving same-sex marriage. The cases about “who you love” could change the laws in 41 states and more than 1,000 federal statutes. Regardless of what is said in the oral arguments, a reading of the merits briefs makes it clear that the Court will have to rule …

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in two cases that have the potential to change the face of LGBT rights and bring marriage equality to all Americans. In Windsor v. United States, the court will rule on the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which bans federal recognition of same-sex marriage. In Hollingsworth v. Perry, the justices will consider California’s Proposition 8 measure that banned LGBT marriage in the state. The court could uphold the law, …

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