N.Y. Times || By ABBY GOODNOUGH || July 8
BOSTON — The Massachusetts attorney general, Martha Coakley, sued the federal government Wednesday to overturn a section of the law denying federal benefits to spouses in same-sex marriages.
With the suit, Massachusetts becomes the first state to challenge the Defense of Marriage Act, which was passed by Congress in 1996 and prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.
Massachusetts was also the first state, in 2003, to grant gay couples the right to marry; five other states — Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — have since followed. The challenge, filed in United States District Court here, comes as President Obama and Congress face increasing pressure from gay rights groups to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act.
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4 comments:
I heard about this. I didn't know states could sue the govt., or maybe I forgot. Anyways, this is an interesting turn of events. I wonder how this will turn out.
L,
I've never heard of a State suing the Fed Gov either but I hope it works!
Good for them taking action! I hope this works as well! Fockers!
Glennisha,
It would be so amazing if this did work.
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