In a historic decision for gay and lesbian rights, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that the Defense of Marriage Act, which banned federal recognition of same-sex marriages, is unconstitutional.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote the majority decision, joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor and Stephen Breyer.
The four justices who dissented were Chief Justice John Roberts, Antonin Scalia, Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
The U.S. Supreme Court will rule tomorrow on two cases that could shape the fight for marriage equality for years to come. Decisions will be released starting at 10 a.m. LGBT rights supporters will then gather at 5 p.m. at the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue.
“Regardless of what those decisions entail, this will be a historic date for the LGBT community and will have a great impact on the ongoing struggle for equality in Georgia and around the country,” rally organizers stated in an open letter announcing the gathering.
The corner of 10th and Piedmont is in the heart of Midtown, Atlanta's gay mecca, and has played host to similar rallies in the past.
Rep. Phil Gingrey, our Georgia representative from Marietta (and a medical doctor to boot), wants elementary school students to learn all about gender stereotypes so there won't be any confusion when they grow up about boys and girls and how they can only love and marry people of the opposite sex.
Atlanta LGBT organizations will host a rally at the corner 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue the day of the U.S. Supreme Court issues its rulings on two gay marriage cases.
Justices heard arguments in the cases in March. Rulings will be issued before the court ends its term this month. The next time the court is scheduled to release decisions is Monday at 10 a.m.
Though the date for the gay marriage rulings is not yet known, organizers of the rally are already making arrangements.
The U.S. Supreme Court will issue decisions this month that could change the fight for marriage equality for a generation or more.
The last scheduled session for the current Supreme Court term is June 24. At press time June 4, gay marriage supporters and opponents alike were anxiously watching the court for decisions that could impact marriage rights for same-sex couples in California and around the country.
Meanwhile, activists around the country are planning “Day of Decision” demonstrations, including a gathering scheduled for the corner of 10th Street and Piedmont Avenue in Atlanta.
“Regardless of what those decisions entail, this will be a historic date for the LGBT community and will have a great impact on the ongoing struggle for equality in Georgia and around the country,” reads an open letter to the LGBT community signed by leaders of eight local LGBT and LGBT-supportive organizations.
Several mayors from across the country participated in a conference call today sponsored by the Respect for Marriage Coalition to urge the Supreme Court to strike down DOMA.
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who announced his support for marriage equality in December after struggling with the issue for some time, said today that while his city is progressive and offers domestic partnerships to city workers, Georgia overall is very conservative.
Atlanta activist Danny Ingram, who was discharged from the military under “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” and serves as president of American Veterans for Equal Rights, is set to testify May 31 before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in Washington, D.C.
Former U.S. Rep. Bob Barr authored the Defense of Marriage Act, then said he would repeal it. Will that make him too liberal for Georgia Republicans as he seeks to return to Congress?
Barr has a press conference scheduled today in which he's expected to announce his bid for the 11th District congressional seat currently held by Rep. Phil Gingrey. Yesterday, Barr said in a video posted on Youtube that he would announce his candidacy today.
Gingrey, no friend of LGBT rights, is vacating the seat to run for the U.S. Senate post that will be open thanks to Sen. Saxby Chambliss' decision not to seek reelection.
Questioning at the Supreme Court during oral arguments on Wednesday was just as intense as the previous day as justices grilled attorneys on standing and federalism issues related to the Defense of Marriage Act.
The prospects of the court striking down the 1996 law seem strong as no justices expressed any particular love for DOMA, but it’s possible the court may not reach consideration of the constitutionality of the law because of standing and jurisdiction issues.
Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a Clinton appointee, expressed concern over DOMA because benefits — including Social Security survivor benefits and access to family medical leave — are withheld from married same-sex couples under the law.