Defense of Marriage Act Ruled Unconstitutional

A federal court panel in Boston ruled today that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, specifically targeting the limitations on federal benefits such as Social Security and survivor benefits, providing a path for the Supreme Court to consider marriage equality.

“The ruling by the federal appeals court panel in Boston today affirms our long held belief that the Defense of Marriage Act is both unconstitutional and contrary to precedent set by the Supreme Court in 1967, where it was declared that marriage is a basic civil right,” said Joel McDonald, Vice Chair for Technology and Communication of the LGBT Democrats of Virginia Caucus. He continued, “This ruling is one more step forward, but we still have a long way to go toward securing full marriage equality for all Americans, especially in states, like Virginia, where marriage discrimination has been codified in their constitutions.”

The LGBT Democrats of Virginia Caucus organized the passage of resolutions supporting marriage equality at congressional district democratic conventions throughout Virginia in May, and is supporting the passage of a similar resolution at the Democratic Party of Virginia State Convention on June 2nd in Fairfax.