House Dems Working to Repeal Gay-Marriage Law

(NEWSER) - Massachusetts has challenged the constitutionality of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, saying it interferes with a state's right to define and regulate marriage, the Boston Globe reports. “In enacting DOMA,” the lawsuit reads, “Congress overstepped its authority, undermined states' efforts to recognize marriages between same-sex couples, and codified an animus towards gay and lesbian people.” More»

And younger generation is much more likely to support gay marriage: poll

(NEWSER) - Nearly two-thirds of Americans support same-sex unions, though not necessarily marriage, a new CBS News /New York Times poll finds. While 38% of respondents said gay couples should be allowed to marry, another 24% said they should be granted legal rights via civil unions, for a grand total of 62% who back same-sex unions. Some 33% said same-sex couples should not be legally recognized at all. More»

He says it's unconstitutional, orders administration to cease enforcing it

(NEWSER) - A federal judge has declared the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional, ordering the federal government to provide health benefits to the wife of a lesbian court employee. It's the first ruling to come down on DOMA since the Obama administration decided to stop defending it in court , the LA Times points out. The law has instead been defended by the House 's Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group—which, despite its name, is predominantly conservative. More»

Lawsuit to be filed today

(NEWSER) - Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell may be gone, but married gay and lesbian service members aren’t done fighting for equal rights: Six active troops and two veterans are filing suit today to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act. Lead plaintiffs Shannon McLaughlin, a Massachusetts Army National Guard major, and her wife, Casey, were married in Massachusetts, where same-sex marriage is legal. But DOMA prevents the federal government from recognizing that marriage, and keeps Casey from being covered under her wife’s health care plan. It also would prohibit Casey from bringing their twins, who are covered, to medical appointments on base, should Shannon be deployed. More»

Census data shows more gay couples willing to identify themselves

(NEWSER) - Between the 2000 census and the 2010 census, the number of same-sex couples increased a whopping 80%—showing, demographers say, that gay couples are increasingly willing to identify themselves. And of the US’ 646,000 same-sex couples, one in five say they are married. Those 646,000 couples, who make up just 1% of all couples in the nation, include all those who identified themselves as spouses or cohabitating partners to the census. More»