NEWS: Ding Dong DOMA’s Dead

The 17-year old anti-gay marriage amendment has been found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States.

By Newsdesk | 26th June 2013

The Defence Of Marriage Act (DOMA) has been found unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS).

In a 5-4 decision, the court decided that it was unconstitutional to deny federal marriage benefits to same-sex couples.

DOMA prevented the US Government from recognising the rights of same-sex couples federally, even if the state in which the couple married found such partnerships to be legal.

President Barack Obama, took to twitter to tweet:

'Today's DOMA ruling is a historic step forward for #MarriageEquality. #LoveIsLove'

DOMA was signed into law in 1996 by then president Bill Clinton, after it passed, by a large majority by both houses of Congress.

There are currently 13 states in which same-sex marriage is currently legal in the US, it is hoped that with the striking down of DOMA, that more states will vote and pass laws to give gay couples in the United States the right to marry.