Judge strikes down Defense of Marriage Act provision in state employees' case

[kpete]

Source: Marin Independent Journal

Judge strikes down Defense of Marriage Act provision in state employees' case

Bay City News Service


OAKLAND -- A federal judge ruled Thursday that the state's public-employee pension system must make long-term care insurance equally available to same-sex spouses and partners.

U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken said a provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, is unconstitutional to the extent that it limits same-sex spouses of state workers in obtaining the insurance.

The provision of the 1996 DOMA law defines marriage as "a legal union of a one man and one woman as husband and wife."

It has been used to bar gay and lesbian spouses from obtaining a variety of federal benefits.

Read more: http://www.marinij.com/ci_20706868/judge-strikes-down-defense-marriage-act-provision-state

[LynneSin]

1. This is how marriage equality will happen - just chip away bit by bit of that giant hunk of hate

And this took a mighty big chunk out of it today!

[justiceischeap]

2. Which makes Obama's reelection that much more important, IMO

Supreme Court justices will decide this matter and if RMoney or some other repub is allowed to stack the court, the LGBTQ community is screwn!

[William769]

3. Awesome!

[Initech]

4. Ah DOMA - constructed and passed by a douchebag who cheated on his wife with cancer.

One day that POS will be declared unconstitutional - but we're chipping away at it bit by bit.

[msanthrope]

5. Great!!! Come on Congress! REPEAL!!! nt