Category Archives: Federal Courts
SUPREME VICTORY: Stunning victories: DOMA, Prop 8 struck
In a stunning double victory, the U.S. Supreme Court today issued decisions that strike down both Proposition 8 and the key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act.
Political jousting over DOMA standing, but legal activists encouraged
Today’s argument in the U.S. Supreme Court over the Defense of Marriage Act sounded at times as if President Obama was on trial for enforcing the law even though he considers it unconstitutional. At other times, it sounded like Congress
Prop 8 arguments roller coaster on standing and merits of marriage ban
The U.S. Supreme Court took the marriage equality issue on a roller coaster ride Tuesday as it heard almost 90 minutes of argument in the case testing the constitutionality of California’s ban on same-sex marriage.
Unknowns loom as marriage arguments draw near at Supreme Court
One month away from the most historic and, perhaps, influential U.S. Supreme Court cases in LGBT history, a surprising number of facts are still unknown.
Court adds twist to announcement on Prop 8, DOMA cases
In a surprise development, the U.S. Supreme Court announced today that it will review both the Proposition 8 case concerning a statewide ban on same-sex marriage and a DOMA case concerning a ban on federal recognition of same-sex marriages.
Surprises embedded in Second Circuit ruling; may improve prospects at Supreme Court
The ruling by a Second Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel was not a big surprise. But the panel’s related ruling—that laws should be held to a heightened standard of review when they treat people differently because of their sexual
Court puts off deciding whether to hear Prop 8 case
On its first official day of the 2012-13 session, the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday did not include the Proposition 8 case on the list of cases it would or would not review.
Roberts leads decision to uphold health reform law
In a dramatic move with significant political and economic implications, a majority of the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday (June 28) voted to uphold President Obama’s landmark health care reform law.
Ninth Circuit refuses full court review; Prop 8 headed to Supreme Court
A glimmer of politics showed through Tuesday (June 5) when the full 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals declined a request from supporters of California’s ban on same-sex marriage to review a circuit panel’s decision that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.
First Circuit: DOMA unconstitutional; next stop: Supreme Court
A unanimous three-judge panel of the First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals ruled today (Thursday, May 31) that the core part of the Defense of Marriage Act, barring federal recognition of marriages of same-sex couples, is unconstitutional.
