Showing posts with label DOMA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label DOMA. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Important Victories for Gay Rights in the U.S.A.

Two important cases were decided today by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

The first case concerned the constitutionality of the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was an American federal law, enacted in 1996, that required that the federal state should only give recognition to opposite-sex marriages in the United States and also restricted federal marriage benefits to opposite-sex marriages.

The second case concerned the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8, a California ballot proposition and a state constitutional amendment passed in the November 2008 state elections. The measure added a new provision, to the California Constitution, which provides that "only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." The United States District Court Judge Vaughn Walker overturned Proposition 8 on August 4, 2010, ruling that it violated both the Due Process and Equal Protection clauses of the United States Constitution. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals panel later affirmed the decision that Proposition 8 was unconstitutional.

Through the decisions delivered by SCOTUS today
1, the Defence Of Marriage Act (DOMA) was struck down as being unconstitutional by a 5-4 majority and
2. in the the Proposition 8 case the ruling was, by a 5-4 majority, that supporters of the measure did not have legal standing (did not have the right) to appeal the lower court's ruling, thereby leaving the earlier decision that the measure was unconstitutional standing and clearing the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California.

HALLELUJA!!! 



Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Two Exciting Days (Updated)

"This week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two key marriage cases: On Tuesday, the Court will hear oral arguments in Hollingworth v. Perry, the challenge to California's Proposition 8, and on Wednesday, the Court will hear oral arguments in Windsor v. United States, the challenge to the so-called Defense of Marriage Act."

For a live blog from the courtroom, and later a recording and a transcript of the proceedings, please visit Freedom to Marry, Live Blog

The Supreme Court is expected to announce its rulings in June 2013

You can listen to the oral arguments on Proposition 8 here.