BOSTON (WTVR) - A Boston appeals court has ruled a federal law, defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman, discriminates against gay couples.
In a unanimous ruling, a three judge panel agreed with a decision made by a lower court in 2010. It ruled that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional on the grounds that it interferes with an individual state's right to define marriage.
At issue was whether the Federal Government could deny health, tax and pension benefits to same-sex couples in states where they can legally marry.
The ruling will not be appealed. Last year, President Obama announced the Justice department would no longer argue for the constitutionality of the ban on same-sex marriage. And just last month, the President expressed his support for same-sex marriage.
