Challenging the misnamed "Defense of Marriage Act"
On March 27, 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court considered a challenge to the federal "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA) brought by Edie Windsor, a widow represented by the ACLU and the firm Paul Weiss. Edie, age 83, had to pay more than $360,000 in federal estate taxes after her spouse Thea Spyer died in 2009. The couple spent 44 years together and legally married in New York. If Edie had been married to a man, she would not have had to pay any estate taxes after Thea's death.
In late June 2013, the Supreme Court will rule on the case.
Video
Edie Windsor and ACLU Challenge Defense of Marriage Act
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Case Background
Media
3.29.13
The Supreme Court should seize this opportunity to make history
Patriot Ledger
3.27.13
Latest updates on Supreme Court hearings on marriage equality
The New York Times
The biggest takeaways from inside the Supreme Court's DOMA hearing
The Advocate
Audio of the oral arguments
The Supreme Court
Ms. Windsor goes to Washington
On Liberty blog
3.26.13
How the Supreme Court should rule on DOMA
WBUR
3.25.13
Same-sex marriage — protecting equality under law
The Boston Globe
3.22.13
Windsor v. the United States aka the ACLU v. DOMA
ACLU of Massachusetts - Civil Liberties Minute Podcast
3.17.13
Edith Windsor's pioneering life, from Portofino to the Supreme Court
New York Magazine
12.10.12
Reveling in Her Supreme Court Moment
The New York Times
12.8.12
Gay marriage case: A long time coming for Edie Windsor
USA Today
12.7.12
US supreme court agrees to take up two gay marriage cases
The Guardian
5.31.12
Court: Heart of gay marriage law unconstitutional
Associated Press
Learn more about the ACLU's work for LGBT equality here in Massachusetts and across the country, and visit our timeline of important milestones for LGBT issues.
