Politics & Government

Supreme Court Overturns Defense of Marriage Act

Law that prohibited extending benefits to same-sex couples struck down in 5-4 vote.

This article was written by Matthew Hampton.

In a landmark decision for gay rights, the Supreme Court ruled Wednesday morning that the Defense of Marriage Act, passed in 1996, is unconstitutional.

The decision extends federal benefits to married gay couples nationwide — though it does not compel individual states to recognize same-sex marriage. 

The 5-4 decision was hailed by gay rights activists, who saw it as the next step in a long civil rights journey.

Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, in which the court cited the Constitution's provision of equal protection, according to published reports.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said she was thrilled by the court's decision.

"Today is 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," Gillibrand said. "I am overjoyed the Supreme Court has ruled to end the discrimination that had been enshrined into U.S. law." 

Mayoral candidate and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn said that the decision honored the framers of the Constituion.

"Today marks a great victory for LGBT community and for the dream our nation’s founders had when they first wrote that we're all created equal," Quinn wrote on Twitter.


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