Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), is a U.S. federal law that allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed under the laws of other states and which restricted federal marriage benefits. The law passed both houses of Congress by large majorities and was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 21, 1996. Section 3 of DOMA had codified the non-recognition of same-sex marriages for all federal purposes, including insurance benefits for government employees, Social Security survivors’ benefits, immigration, and the filing of joint tax returns.
Section 3 of DOMA was found unconstitutional in eight federal courts, including the First and Second Circuit Court of Appeals, on issues including bankruptcy, public employee benefits, estate taxes, and immigration. The U.S. Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor declared Section 3 of DOMA unconstitutional on June 26, 2013, “as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.” [ Wikipedia → ]
-
Bill introduced to ensure Social Security equality for same-sex spouses
Thursday, May 8, 2014WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sens. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Mark Udall (D-Colo.) on Thursday introduced a bill to provide married, same-sex couples with equal treatment under the Social Security Act when applying for Social Security benefits, regardless… -
House backs bill to sue president for not enforcing federal laws, such as DOMA
Wednesday, March 12, 2014WASHINGTON -- Casting Barack Obama as a president run amok, the House voted on Wednesday for a bill that would expedite congressional lawsuits against the chief executive for failure to enforce federal laws. -
Citing DOMA ruling, Holder applies same-sex marriage rights to Justice Dept.
Saturday, February 8, 2014WASHINGTON -- In an assertion of same-sex marriage rights, Attorney General Eric Holder is applying a landmark Supreme Court ruling to the Justice Department, announcing Saturday that same-sex spouses cannot be compelled to testify against each… -
DOMA’s demise creates pathway to overturning state bans on gay marriage
Thursday, December 26, 2013Advocates on both sides of the gay marriage debate predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that overturned part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act would create a pathway for more challenges to… -
Hawaii same-sex marriage pioneer who sparked national debate weds partner
Wednesday, December 18, 2013HONOLULU -- One of the Hawaii women who sparked the national same-sex marriage battle with a lawsuit more than 20 years ago is now legally married to another woman. -
Social Security begins processing survivor benefits for same-sex spouses
Monday, December 16, 2013WASHINGTON — The Social Security Administration (SSA) said Monday it has begun processing, and paying, some survivor’s benefits for married, same-sex couples. -
Married, gay students to receive equal treatment in college loan applications
Friday, December 13, 2013WASHINGTON -- Students in same-sex marriages will be treated the same as their straight married classmates when it comes to federal college loan applications, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Friday in a shift that reflects this… -
Pope Francis named Time magazine’s Person of the Year
Wednesday, December 11, 2013NEW YORK -- Time magazine selected Pope Francis as its Person of the Year on Wednesday, saying the Catholic Church's new leader has changed the perception of the 2,000-year-old institution in an extraordinary way in a… -
Va. tax department implements ‘hateful’ guidelines for married, same-sex couples
Monday, December 2, 2013RICHMOND, Va. -- The state of Virginia has released new tax guidelines for legally married same-sex couples, establishing what is being called some of the most complicated and harshest policies by any state tax department against… -
New Jersey, neighboring Pennsylvania spotlight same-sex marriage efforts
Saturday, October 19, 2013HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Pennsylvania and New Jersey are on tracks that could lead to the Northeast being the first full region in the country to legalize same-sex marriage -- but the routes are hardly parallel and…
Further Reading
After 2 years of marriage equality Republicans are still trying to destroy it
Why is the ACLU defending a school employee who called for death to 'all fags'?
Federal court rules Mississippi businesses can discriminate against LGBTQ people
Boy George's cover of the iconic Village People hit YMCA will wow you
HIV/AIDS council members resign in protest of Donald Trump
Follow Us
New York is getting an LGBT monument & it looks like someone destroyed Stonehenge
Protests from within the LGBTQ community block Pride events across the country
Check out photos from Pride parades this weekend
A Trump hotel was lit up in rainbow colors for pride (but not for long)
