HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — A federal judge in Connecticut has ruled that
part of a federal law that defines marriage as between a man and a woman
and denies federal benefits to married gay couples is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Vanessa L. Bryant in Hartford ruled Tuesday that
the provision in the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act violates the Fifth
Amendment right to equal protection.
The ruling came in the case of six married same-sex couples and a
widower who sued after being denied federal benefits. The plaintiffs are
from Connecticut, New Hampshire and Vermont.
Advocates for gay and lesbians applauded the ruling but expected an appeal.
Several similar rulings have been made by courts across the country.
The Obama administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to settle
legal fights over the law.
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