Explainer: What the Gay Marriage Rulings Mean for NY, NJ
Tuesday, June 18, 2013  The Supreme Court ruled today that the
Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, and dismissed the
California Prop 8 case. But what do the rulings mean? We have
(some of) the answers.   What was the DOMA ruling today?  The
Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage
Act - this means that gay and lesbian couples married in a state
that has legalized same-sex marriage will also receive federal
benefits. In short, they are entitled to equal treatment under
federal law.  It was a split decision, written by Justice
Kennedy and joined by justices Ginsburg, Breyer, Sotomayor and
Kagan. Basically, it came down as court watchers predicted it
would.  Gay couples who are married in New York will now be
recognized as married by the federal government. The decision
explicitly says it applies only to couples whom a state
considers married - civil unions, like in New Jersey, will still
not be recognized.  Does the DOMA de