The Supreme Court today struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between one man and one woman, calling it unconstitutional in a 5-4 ruling. The decision will extend federal benefits to legally married gay couples.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority opinion, and was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. Chief Justice John Roberts, Justices Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas, and Samuel Alito dissented.