◼ Gay marriage ruling: Supreme Court finds DOMA unconstitutional - LA Times
The Supreme Court struck down a key part of the federal Defense of Marriage Act on Wednesday and declared that same-sex couples who are legally married deserve equal rights to the benefits under federal law that go to all other married couples.
The decision is a landmark win for the gay rights movement. It voids a section of the law known as DOMA, which was adopted with bipartisan support in Congress in 1996 to deny all benefits and recognition to same-sex couples.
At that time, no state permitted gays and lesbians to marry. Now, 12 states and the District of Columbia authorize same-sex marriages.
Justice Anthony Kennedy, speaking for the 5-4 majority, said DOMA was unconstitutional because it violated the right to liberty and to equal protection for gay couples.
"By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute" violates the Constitution, he said.
Headlines at Drudge:
Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act...
'DOMA singles out class of persons deemed by State entitled to recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty'...
Scalia dissent: 'Diseased root: an exalted notion of the role of this court in American democratic society'...
RULING: Gays can now sponsor foreign partners for immigration to USA...
SCALIA: Kennedy Has Declared Us 'Enemies of the Human Race'...
ALITO: 'Constitution Does Not Guarantee the Right to Enter Into a Same-Sex Marriage'...
TIME: 'One of fastest civil rights shifts in nation's history'...
Justices Avoid Ruling on California's Proposition 8...
Gov. Brown Issues Directive To Resume Same-Sex Marriage In 30 Days...
OBAMA: I won't force churches to conduct gay weddings...
Interrupts Activists' MSNBC Interview to Give Congratulatory Call...
PENTAGON EXTENDS BENEFITS TO GAY SERVICE SPOUSES...
CT Governor Raises Rainbow Flag At Official Residence...
National Cathedral Rings Bells To Celebrate...
Gay Marriage Opponents Vow to Press On...
◼ 20 photos from the crowd outside the Supreme Court after DOMA was struck down earlier today - Washington Examiner
◼ Obama: I won’t make churches conduct gay marriages - Joel Gehrke/Washington Examiner @joelmentum
