2 lawsuits challenge US Defense of Marriage Act

[WillParkinson]

2 lawsuits challenge US Defense of Marriage Act


(New York) Two new lawsuits have been filed on behalf of gay and lesbian couples in four states to challenge a 1996 law that denies federal benefits to married gay couples.

The lawsuits were filed Tuesday in federal courts in Connecticut and New York. They were filed on behalf of couples in Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and New York.

The lawsuits follow in the steps of a separate one in Boston. That earlier lawsuit has resulted in a judge striking down a key provision of the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

The filing of multiple lawsuits will likely result in several rulings in different federal court districts. That could increase the likelihood that the Supreme Court will eventually consider the issue.

http://www.365gay.com/news/2-lawsuits-challenge-us-defense-of-marriage-act/

[TheWraith]

1. These suits will probably end up getting merged.

Federal courts usually prefer to handle one case on a given argument at a time.

It'll be interesting to see the results. I could tell early on that the MA suit had legs, and if these are building off it, we should see some interesting results.

[RetiredTrotskyite]

2. Yop, And...

the more marriage equality groups joining in the better!