Supreme Court Strikes DOMA

The U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Federal Defense of Marriage Act in a 5-4 decision Wednesday meaning that the government will have to recognize same-sex marriages and extend federal benefits to those couples in some cases.

"The federal statute is invalid, for no legitimate purpose overcomes the purpose and effect to disparage and to injure those whom the State, by its marriage laws, sought to protect in personhood and dignity,” Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion as originally reported by the Huffington Post. “By seeking to displace this protection and treating those persons as living in marriages less respected than others, the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.”

Iowa State University Professor and Gay Rights Activist Warren Blumenfeld was encouraged at the decisions affecting same-sex marriage but was upset over an earlier decision affecting voting rights. 

"My reaction is mixed. I am very encouraged by the fact that the Supreme Court, by a decision of 5 to 4, ruled that DOMA (the so-called "Defense of Marriage Act") has been declared unconstitutional according to the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection clause and now same-sex couples who legally marry in states that have such rights will now receive federal marriage benefits, and California's ballot Proposition 8 has been virtually decided as defunct and now same-sex couples in California can legally marry. 

"On the other hand, I am very disappointed that yesterday the same Supreme Court virtually gutted the historic and effective Voting Rights Act of 1965. This decision will now make it harder for people of color, elders, youth, and working class people to vote," Blumenfeld said in an email response to questions.

Patch Blogger Jeff Angelo who started Republicans For Freedom to support same sex marriage said now both the U.S. and Iowa Supreme courts recognize that people need to be treated equally and receive equal protection under the law and that legislation cannot violate that principle.

But he said that won't stop people from trying to limit marriage to one man and one woman. There's a lot of money involved, Angelo said.

"That's not going to go away immediately," Angelo said. 

 The decision could have a national impact beyond the 12 states that recognize same-sex marriage depending on how the ruling is applied, according to the report in the Washington Post.

"Federal employees living in the 12 states and the District where same-sex marriages are legal would get full spousal benefits immediately if DOMA is overturned. But it’s not clear what that decision would mean for those who were legally married in one place, D.C. or Maryland for example, but now live in a place without marriage equality, like Virginia, a report in the Washington Post said.