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A few news-worthy things happened this morning, and two of them concern marriage, and are major milestones in the LGBT rights movement and marriage equality. Now, we don't have aaaaall the details yet, but we do know that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act was overturned which, among other things, allows same-sex partners to receive some federal benefits and opens the door to making more and more related changes in making marriage equality universal.
The decision regarding Prop 8 is still a little complicated, too. The justices decided, in essence, that the “traditional marriage” activists who put Proposition 8 on California ballots in 2008 did not have the constitutional authority to defend the law in federal courts after the state refused to appeal its loss at trial. We're not sure what will come of that, but we do know it's a step in the right direction.
Overall, we're super-duper looking forward to the changes that will be made from these decisions, and hope it will lead to more legal same-sex marriages in general, and on Offbeat Bride! YAY!
We're going to celebrate by browsing through all the love in our LGBT archive — how are YOU celebrating?
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About the Author: Catherine Clark
Catherine Clark loiters at her local library, makes art, watches movies en masse, plays video and tabletop games, poorly cooks healthy things, cuddles with her feline fur babies, and blogs at BijouxandBits.com.
Yay indeed!!!!
I can’t wait to attend several same sex weddings, hopefully now coming soon!
This is fantastic news! I have friends who are gay, and I know they would be happy to one day be able to legally marry the loves of their lives, even in my ultra-conservative home state!
YAY!!!
Beyond excited. Beyond!!!! Crying dancing calling everyone on my guest list excited! About damn time!! I can’t wait to make this shit LEGAL!!
Right!? Steps closer… 🙂
I’ve been in tears ever since I read the first live update! Edie Windsor and Kris Perry are my heroes.
It’s about time!!!!
Woot! I think overturning DOMA really defends what marriage is about – freedom to love and be loved.
Huzzah! Now to get marriage equality on all the state ballots! (Or passed legislatively!)
Woo woo! I can’t wait to get LEGALLY married in October 🙂 There really is a different feeling today when I think about our marriage now.
When we got engaged on Dec 9th 2011 we started planning a wedding knowing that it would not be legally recognized by our state or the federal government but that didnt make it any less of a marriage in our eyes. Now 2 and half weeks before we are to get married we not only have applied for our marriage license in our home state of WA, but will have federal recognition. Its amazing how much has changed in only a year and half…Cant wait for July 13th!
We just sent out our invitations this past weekend. I’ve been getting texts all day about how much more this decision from SCOTUS means to people because they have a face to actively attribute to what has just happened.
To all my queer brothers, sisters and siblings, this is a great day. The struggle continues, but we continue to fight *and* win.
Just a clarifying point, only Section 3 of DOMA has been declared unconstitutional. That’s the section that stated that marriage for the purposes of the Federal Govt was only between a man and a woman. The other sections, including Section 2, which allows states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages from other states are still in effect.
This is still an awesome, amazing day that has wonderful repercussions for same-sex couples, especially in terms of taxes, immigration, and social security benefits. I just wanted people to understand that parts of DOMA still stand and that there is a ways to go.
I think I ruined a few celebrations today by correcting my friends when they talked about the marriage ban being lifted. Everyone is so excited about this, but it’s just one step closer to full equality and we still have a lot of fighting to do in the meantime.
Good point. I’ve made the change in the copy.
Absolutely correct, but Chad Griffin of HRC did a big strategic tell today when he said he was going to go to Utah as his next stop to bring marriage equality nationwide. Utah is an Amendment state, so why would he go there instead of, say, Illinois where the issue is in front of mind?
Simple.
He’s looking for a plaintiff for his next legal challenge: a legally married same-sex couple who is paradoxically married by a “home state”, and therefor by the Federal Government, but not by the state in which they currently reside (i.e. Utah).
The new challenge is coming quickly. Very quickly. And that couple will win because of the DOMA precedent.
My brother (aka Dude of Honor) and I will be celebrating with matching t-shirts from RAYGUN 🙂
http://raygunsite.com/collections/guys/t-shirts
So excited about what the future holds for him!!
woooo!!!!
When I found out about this news- where I was, what I was wearing, whom I was with- will be one of those moments imprinted on my mind forever. Like “where were you when 9-11 happened?” big. This means so much to me and to the US! We’re finally getting civilized like a good chunk of the rest of the world 🙂
This year keeps getting better and better! Lucky number 13 it must be 😀
I’m finding myself completely confused by “wedding etiquette” now! We have been engaged for over a year but with the laws up in the air, we didnt plan anything or really save a lot for the traditional wedding that includes our large families. All of a sudden, we get the news and are getting married on August 31! I’d love a bridal shower but since no one is invited to the wedding except our parents, “etiquette” finds it in poor taste? Any thoughts?