Politics & Government
Spilka: I am Overjoyed With DOMA Decision
In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court deemed the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, saying it restricted the rights of individuals and encroached on the states' right to govern marriage.
The Supreme Court ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred the federal government from recognizing the married status of gay couples (and thus denied those couples federal marriage benefits), was a violation of state rights and the Fifth Amendment rights of individuals.
This decision will impact the 13 states, including Massachusetts, that already allow for same-sex marriage.
State Senator Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) said she has been working on marriage equality for years and is overjoyed with the Supreme Court decision.
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"I am proud to have been one of the first state legislators in the county to vote for marriage equality in 2004; it is amazing how far the country has come. Today is a huge victory for millions of American families," Spilka said in a release.
Do you agree with the Supreme Court's decisions to let each state determine who can get married and therefore who gets marriage rights?
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