US Supreme Court Allows Same-Sex Marriage in California, Overturns DOMA

The Supreme Court of the United States ruled Wednesday that backers of California's Proposition 8 couldn't appeal a lower court decision allowing same-sex marriage in the state. 

According to the SCOTUSblog this means that "same-sex marriage will be available in California, at least where court clerks take the position that Prop 8 is unconstitutional." California officials will get back to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples by the end of July, according to California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom.

A commenter on the Concord Patch Facebook page shared her reaction to the rulings, stating that "the love and devotion between a couple is equal regardless of the genders attached."

"The support is the same, "she said. "The love is the same. The devotion is the same. The need is the same. There is no difference between a man coming home with a heavy heart to lean on his husband than a woman coming home with a heavy heart to be supported by her husband. The joys of marriage are between two people that devote themselves to one another."

Another commenter said: "Although I am more in favor for traditional marriage, it is not up to me to tell people who they should marry."

The 5-4 ruling has the effect of reinstating a 2010 decision in which now-retired U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker of San Francisco rules that Proposition 8 violated the federal constitutional rights to equal treatment and due process.

In another decision today, the court by a 5-4 vote struck down the
federal Defense of Marriage Act, which had prohibited the U.S. government
granting federal benefits and tax advantages to same-sex couples who were
legally married in their state.

How do you feel about the SCOTUS ruling against Proposition 8 and the Defense of Marriage Act? Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments.