Boston federal appeals court finds Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional

A federal appeals court in Boston has confirmed a lower court decision that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional in the way it denies benefits to gay couples by not recognizing their marriages.

The US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld a ruling from 2010 that the law withholding the federal benefits of marriage from states which allow their citizens to marry regardless of gender was in conflict with the constitution.

The Defense of Marriage Act denies gay spouses Social Security survivor benefits, the ability to file joint tax returns and health insurance rights enjoyed by straight married couples.  Read More