DOMA Struck Down by Supreme Court

By Patch Editor Brandie Jefferson, with additional reporting by Patch Editor Laura L. Thornton

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is unconstitutional, The Huffington Post reported Wednesday.

DOMA, a 1996 law, defined civil marriage as "a legal union between one man and one woman" for the purpose of more than 1,000 federal laws and programs.

Wednesday's ruling means that married, gay couples will be entitled to tax benefits, legal privileges and other rights previously only available to heterosexual couples.

Maryland was one of three states to approve same-sex marriage at the ballot box in 2012, after a General Assembly bill was petitioned to referendum. Same-sex marriage is currently recognized by 12 states and the District of Columbia. In neighboring neighboring Delaware, a law recognizing same-sex marriage is set to go into effect on July 1.

Gov. Martin O’Malley responded to the ruling with the following statement:

“This ruling is a powerful step forward for those who live in states like Maryland. But the Court’s decisions make clear that there is still more work to do as a nation to achieve greater respect for the equal rights and human dignity of all.

“As Marylanders, and as Americans, we ultimately all want the same thing for our children: to live in a loving, stable, committed home protected equally under the law.”

Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot Tweeted that he was "proud" of the Supreme Court's ruling.

Closer to home, Town of Somerset, Chevy Chase, Mayor Jeffrey Slavin told Patch that he "was very excited and surprised [about the decision], given the conservative bent of the court, but I think that they’re listening to what’s really happening in the county."

"[Views on same-sex marriage have been] dramatically changing [in the U.S. very] rapidly over the last year. … I’m saddened that the decision was 5-4, not 9-0, but I’ll take any victory that I can," Slavin added.