DOMA Struck Down; Safety Harbor Area Reacts

The Defense of Marriage Act has been ruled unconstitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court. DOMA is the law barring the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages legalized by the states. 

There was a 5-4 vote in the decision.

“DOMA divests married same-sex couples of the duties and responsibilities that are an essential part of married life,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority, according to the Miami Herald.

Although same-sex marriages are not recognized under Florida law, several cities — including St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota — as well as Pinellas County have passed domestic partnership registries that allow couples, gay or straight, certain rights in health care and other decisions.

The reaction on Twitter included in this article is a live feed of what people around Tampa Bay are posting on the subject.

"I think it's about damn time," wrote Alyssa Premru on the Safety Harbor Patch Facebook page. "And hopefully this will be the precedent that allows us to finally correct the bigotry in our state constitution."

"I think this country is going to hell," posted Brian Jones.

We'd love to know what you think of the ruling here in Safety Harbor. You can post a comment on this story, or you can write your own article about it, by starting your own page.