Mainer challenging U.S. Defense of Marriage Act

Dan82 · May 5, 2010

http://www.pressherald.com/news/mainer-challenging-u_s_-defense-of-marriage-act_2010-05-02.html

Mary Bonauto has already made history over the past two decades with her work as the lead lawyer in court cases that opened the door for same-sex marriage in Vermont, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

When she steps into a federal courthouse in Boston on Thursday, the Portland resident will be at it again.

Bonauto heads up the legal team that seeks to strike down part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Clinton in 1996. The law defines marriage as a legal union between one man and one woman.

Section 3 of the law -- the section targeted by Bonauto and the 19 plaintiffs she represents -- disqualifies gay and lesbian couples from receiving federal protections and benefits that are available to heterosexual married couples, such as shared Social Security, disability and tax benefits.

The Defense of Marriage Act essentially overrides state laws and court orders in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire and Vermont, where same-sex marriages are legal.

Nancy Gill and Marcelle Letourneau of Bridgewater, Mass., are the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit. Gill, a Postal Service worker, tried unsuccessfully to add her wife to a family health insurance plan after they were married in 2004...
Click to expand...

Grottodude · May 5, 2010

Good luck to the fight against injustice! =D

Mainer challenging U.S. Defense of Marriage Act

Dan82
Full Member

Grottodude
Full Member

Mainer challenging U.S. Defense of Marriage Act

Thread Tools

Dan82 Full Member

Grottodude Full Member

Dan82
Full Member

Grottodude
Full Member