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DOMA Held Unconstitutional, Prop. 8 Dismissed

By Gerry W. Beyer

Gayflag

Today, the Supreme Courtfound the Defense Against Marriage Act to be unconstitutional, thus allowingmarried same-sex couples in states allowing gay marriage to receive hundreds ofbenefits available to married couples under federal law.

Married gay couples livingin the 12 states that allow gay marriage, and the District of Columbia, willsoon receive previously unavailable benefits like estate tax exemptions, SocialSecurity survivors’ benefits, health insurance coverage for employee spouses,joint tax returns, and emergency leave.

The Supreme Court alsodismissed by a 5-4 vote the Proposition 8 appeal, which ends California’ssame-sex marriage ban.  This means gaymarriage in California will likely resume as well as the benefits that go alongwith marriage.

See DanielArkin, Gay Couples Stand to ReceiveThousands of Benefits in Wake of DOMA Decision, NBC News, June 26, 2013; see also Mike Sacks & Ryan J.Reilly, Supreme Court Rules on Prop 8,Lets Gay Marriage Resume in California, Huffington Post, June 26, 2013.

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