The United States Supreme Court reached a controversial and critical decision on the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA, striking down the law prohibiting the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages that have been legalized by the states, by a 5-4 vote in the case of United States v. Windsor.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, supported by Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan and Sonia Sotomayor, indicating, “the federal statute is in violation of the Fifth Amendment.” Chief Justice John G. Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia each filed dissenting opinions, with Justice Clarence Thomas joining Scalia’s dissent and parts of Alito’s. In his opinion, Scalia stated that the truth is not “black and white,” but “the truth is more complicated.
It is hard to admit that one’s political opponents are not monsters, especially in a struggle like this one, and the challenge in the end proves more than today’s Court can handle. Too bad.”
The ruling in this case is a landmark decision by the highest court in the United States and is huge for the American LGBT community, as the federal government now will recognize same-sex marriage benefits in states where they are legal.
The controversial topic of same-sex marriages has divided the American public for many years, as reflected by the 5-4 vote in this case.
It is important to note DOMA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton in 1996, a Democrat and a very popular president in the eyes of many. President Barack Obama has stated he believes same-sex marriages should be legal, and maybe this will help his approval rating, which seems to have suffered in the wake of the recent NSA information leak by Edward Snowden.
As Americans protected by the United States Constitution, telling two people of the same sex that they can’t get married is discrimination. In the same light, denying same-sex couples the marital benefits of a heterosexual married couple also is discrimination and finally has been treated as such in the Supreme Court’s ruling.
It can be difficult to keep personal beliefs and opinions separate when it concerns issues of human rights legislation, and there will be varying opinions when it comes to the Supreme Court’s ruling as well.
But the law dictates there is a separation of church and state, and this issue should come down to common sense. There always will be people who look down on and discriminate against minorities, regardless of race, religious affiliation or sexual preference.
However, this decision shows that as a nation, we are evolving. As Americans, we are finding injustices and continuing to strike them down, just as we have struck down slavery and racial segregation. Looking back through United States history, equality is a term that has grown and added new meaning during the years.
There have been many injustices that have been corrected, and many are viewed today as ridiculous. Perhaps someday, the stigma and the discrimination against same-sex marriages will be viewed in the same way, no matter what state or country you’re affiliated with.
And moreover, the ruling signals another step in the right direction for human rights and moving toward the constitutional principle that all men are created equal.
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