Politics & Government

Supreme Court Strikes Down DOMA, Dearborn Residents React

The Supreme Court's ruling on the Defense of Marriage Act is a boon for same-sex unions.

Wednesday's highly awaited U.S. Supreme Court ruling struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), expanding gay rights and paving the way for same-sex marriage in Michigan.

At issue was the federal Defense of Marriage Act, which prohibited same-sex couples legally married in their states from sharing in each other’s federal marriage benefits.

In its landmark 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled DOMA to be unconstitutional. This opens the way for same-sex couples to file joint tax returns, for example, and file for Social Security survivor benefits.

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Also at issue was the constitutionality of California’s Proposition 8, the 2008 ballot measure that banned same-sex marriage. The high court ruled that the same-sex marriage opponents did not have the constitutional standing to appeal a lower-court ruling that had overturned the law.

Reaction was swift.

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On Facebook, Dearborn Patch readers expressed support for the decision.

Danielle Manuel wrote, "You should have the right to marry who you love. At one point you couldn't marry outside your race or religion, if this was still the case my family wouldn't exist."

Adam Shaw conveyed his excitement by simply writing, "awesome."

The decision comes on the heels of Michigan's own fight for marriage equality. Earlier this week lawmakers in Lansing introduced a set of bills that would amend Michigan's constitution to allow same-sex marriage, which was banned in Michigan in 2004. The bills would also require the state to recognize same-sex marriages that were licensed in other states.

Resident Michelle Beebe Iliazi said she does not agree with the legislation, but would support it.

"I of course do not agree with it because of religous beliefs, however my daughter swiftly reminds me that this country is based on equality not religion," she said.

Karen Mauti said she believes the proposed legislation is a good step forward for Michigan.

"This can no longer be pushed back into a closet. Everyone deserves love wherever they find it," she said.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said the Supreme Court's ruling on Wednesday will provide all men and women in America with the rights that they deserve.

"Today’s Supreme Court rulings are victories for equality and for simple human dignity. I favored repeal of DOMA because it falls short of its ideal of equality under the law.

"The Supreme Court’s recognition of that truth is in keeping with our best traditions and will give millions of Americans the legal protections to which they are fully entitled under our Constitution. I’m hopeful that our nation’s centuries-long march toward equality will continue to move forward," Levin said.


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