Same-Sex Marriage and Divorce

Today, the Supreme Court of the United States released two major decisions affecting same-sex marriage in the country. The Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in the case United States v. Windsor. Minutes later the decision on Hollingsworth v. Perry was released. This decision stopped petitioners from making California’s Proposition 8, which…

Lawyers argued before the Supreme Court why the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) should be overturned and allow Federal Government to recognize same-sex marriages. Based on the comments and questions asked by the justices it appears that the majority of the Supreme Court is in favor of overturning the federal law, as reported by ABC…

The U.S. Supreme Court has received all of the legal briefs submitted on the issue as to whether the Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage to be between a man and a woman is constitutional illegal. It was reported in a February 28, 2013 New York Law Journal article that the legal counsel in support…

It was reported in a March 2, 2013 Republic news article that three out of four of Maine’s legislature members have thrown their support in favor of ruling against DOMA. The three politicians joined in signing on a “friend of the court” brief that argues for DOMA to be found unconstitutional for violating Equal Protection.…

Petitioner’s attorney has asked the Court to review the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), according to the July 17th, 2012 edition of the New York Law Journal. DOMA, passed in 1996, defines marriage as a legal union between a man and a woman.  It says that a state does not have to…

New York City Mayor, Michael R. Bloomberg, and Speaker of the City Council, Christine C. Quinn, say that they will file an amicus brief opposing the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) citing that it is unconstitutional. According to a June 21, 2012 New York Times article, the “friend-of-the-court” legal brief will be filed with a…

Southern District Judge ruled in a New York court that the Defense of Marriage Act denied equal benefits to same-sex couples, as reported in a June 7th, 2012 New York Law Journal article. The judge granted summary judgment in favor of a widowed lesbian plaintiff who is suing the government for failing to recognize her…

North Carolina voters came out in high numbers to make their voices heard on the hot button topic of legalizing same-sex marriage, as reported in a May 8th, 2012 New York Times news article. Amendment 1 as proposed by the North Carolina legislature would define what would be considered a recognizable and legal domestic relationship…

The state of Maryland took a big legal jump on the issue of same-sex marriages, as reported in a May 19th, 2012 New York Times news article. The state’s Court of Appeals ruled 7 to 0 favoring the ability for married same-sex couples to be able to divorce in the state. The state currently does…

Iowa legalized same-sex marriage for four whole hours, as reported in a September 1st, 2011 New York Times article. A lower court judge in Iowa ruled the state banned on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional and overturned the state law. Word of the law being overturned spread fast and many same-sex couples rushed to the county…

Same-sex married couples in New York cannot only enjoy the right to marry but now they can enjoy some of the state tax privileges too, as reported in an August 6th New York Times article. New York state tax laws have now been modified to extent tax benefits to those same-sex couples who are married.…

According to a New York Times article published on July 19th, 2011, President Barack Obama’s views on gay and lesbian rights could be “evolving.” President Obama ran for president promising to be a strong fighter for equality among the gay and lesbian community, and he delivered. Since being in office President Obama added crimes committed…

  The battle for equality rages on for same-sex married couples. In a July 16th, 2011 New York Times article, gay rights’ advocates have now turned their attention to gaining equal benefits for same-sex married couples who have a spouse currently serving in the U.S. military. The ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy is expected to…

  Same-sex couples may be able to marry in New York but these couples still face heavy discrimination, especially those individuals that are immigrants, as reported in a June 28th, 2011 New York Times article. Under federal law, same-sex marriages are not recognized, but gay immigrants face even more discriminations. Currently, gay people and immigrants…

Since July 24th, 2011 thousands of gay and lesbian couples across New York have been tying the knot. But many are not completely happy with the current law status, as reported in a New York Times article published July 24th, 2011. Many gay rights’ advocates have expressed their concerns regarding the federal government’s view on…

  A rainbow flag is now proudly waving outside the entrance of the Resort Casino Hotel in Atlantic City to help promote the opening of their new gay club, as reported in a July 9th, 2011 New York Times article. The casino is commonly known for being the first legal casino to open back in…

  Gay rights’ activists have fought long and hard to legalize same-sex marriages in states like New York. But now it looks like they will be fighting for the right to end their marriage too. A July 3rd, 2011 New York Times article addressed the many issues that same-sex couples are now facing when their…

  The New York Times reported in a July 11th, 2011 article that a case in the federal appeals court in California is challenging the intent of the ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy. This policy implemented by the military back in 1993. The policy allowed gay men, lesbians, and bisexual individuals to actively serve in…

  As July 24th, 2011 gets closer more judges are saying, “I do” to the duty of volunteering on their Sunday off, as reported in a New York Times article published July 15th 2011. On July 24th, 2011 same-sex couples will be able to register for a marriage licenses. However, only a judge will be…

Everyone dreams about winning the lottery. On July 24th, 2011, 764 couples will win the lottery in New York, the matrimonial lottery that is. According to a July 20th, 2011 New York Law Journal article, New York will putting all couples registering for a marriage licenses on July 24th into a large lottery and draw…

  History has been made for the gay rights’ movement! The New York Senate passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriages in New York, making New York the largest state to pass the law, as reported in a June 25th, 2011, New York Times article. The Senate passed the law and was signed into affect by…

  New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo led the campaign to legalize same-sex marriages in New York and his supporters are paying him back, literally. The New York Times reported in a July 16th 2011 article that Empire State Pride Agenda and other gay-rights groups have made large contributions to the Governor’s campaign. Since January,…

  Same-sex couples will be able to obtain a marriage license on July 24th, 2011 but the day falls on a Sunday. No worries! New York City’s clerk offices will still open in celebration of the new law going into effect, reported the New York Times in a July 7th, 2011 article. “This is a…

  Same-sex married couples are now receiving their state rights in New York but federal rights are still being withheld, reported the New York Law Journal in a July 1st, 2011 article. The Defense of Marriage Act, better known as DOMA, is still in affect and defines marriage between a man and a woman. Because…

  Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg was one of the front-runners in politicians who supported New York legalizing same-sex marriages. Mr. Bloomberg gave speeches, lobbied lawmakers, pressured other politicians to vote in favor, held fund-raisers and on July 24th, 2011 will host and preside over one of the first New York same-sex marriage, as reported in…

  New York State Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. was the only Democrat to vote against passing the bill that legalized same-sex marriages in New York. Mr. Diaz said he voted no because it represented his and his district’s view. However, many of the people in his district disagree with Mr. Ruben, as reported in a…

  The Justice Department will no longer argue that the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is constitutional, as reported in a New York Law Journal article on June 3rd, 2011. The Justice Department ruled that DOMA, a federal act defining marriage as between one man and one woman, violates the equal protection clause by not…

  Same-sex marriage is a well-known political issue without a current resolution insight. This has led some big name companies to take it upon themselves to help equal the benefits for their same-sex married employees reported, The New York Times on May 21st, 2011. While most heterosexual married employees take for granted their ability to…

  Gay rights activists are just one vote away from reaching their goal of passing a bill that would legalize same-sex marriages in New York. As reported in a New York Law Journal article on June 16th, 2011, gay right activists have been working hard to persuade the Senate to vote “yes” to legalizing same-sex…

  Recent polls have shown that the general public is extremely supportive of allowing same-sex marriages reported The New York Law Journal on June 1st, 2011. In addition to the general public, public officials have started to announce their support in marriage equality as well. President Bill Clinton recently announced his support for marriage equality…

    The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) took another legal attack, reported a New York Times’ article on June 15th, 2011. In the past year DOMA, which was originally signed into affect by President Bill Clinton in 1996, has taken numerous attacks by the legal system in the past year. Last July, a federal…