Federal appeals court in Boston rules Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional

The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston has ruled the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman, discriminates against gay couples.

An appeals court ruled Thursday that the Defense of Marriage act, a law that denies a host of benefits to gay married couples, is unconstitutional.

(AP Photo/M. Spencer Green) BOSTON — A federal appeals court today declared that the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies federal benefits to married gay couples, a ruling all but certain to wind up before the US Supreme Court.

Because the governor has voiced his support for same-sex marriage, it's unclear whether the state will fight the lawsuit. Obama has instructed the US Department of Justice to stop defending any lawsuits against the federal Defense of Marriage Act,

By NPR People: Mark Memmott "A federal appeals court Thursday declared that the Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutionally denies federal benefits to married gay couples, a ruling all but certain to wind up before the US Supreme Court," The Associated