Defense of Marriage Act

Definition

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a federal law enacted in 1996 that defined marriage for federal purposes as the union between one man and one woman, thereby denying federal recognition of same-sex marriages. The law was a response to the growing visibility of the gay rights movement and sought to protect traditional marriage amidst societal changes. DOMA significantly impacted the legal landscape for LGBTQ+ individuals and relationships, especially after states began to legalize same-sex marriage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. DOMA was signed into law by President Bill Clinton on September 21, 1996, amid rising opposition to same-sex marriage in the U.S.
2. Under DOMA, same-sex couples were denied access to over 1,000 federal benefits that heterosexual married couples could access, impacting areas like taxation, inheritance, and health care.
3. The law also encouraged states to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states, leading to a patchwork of legal statuses across the country.
4. DOMA faced significant legal challenges over the years, culminating in the Supreme Court's decision in Windsor v. United States, which declared its key provisions unconstitutional.
5. The ruling in Windsor marked a turning point for LGBTQ+ rights and paved the way for further advancements toward marriage equality across the United States.

Review Questions

• How did the Defense of Marriage Act influence the legal status of same-sex couples in the United States?
  • The Defense of Marriage Act fundamentally influenced the legal status of same-sex couples by defining marriage strictly as a union between one man and one woman. This definition prevented same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits that were available to heterosexual couples. As states began to legalize same-sex marriage, DOMA created confusion and inequality regarding recognition across state lines, leaving many same-sex couples without crucial rights and protections.
• Discuss the implications of DOMA's passage for the gay rights movement during the late 20th century.
  • The passage of DOMA had significant implications for the gay rights movement as it represented a legislative attempt to undermine growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships. It galvanized activists and organizations working for marriage equality and highlighted the disparities faced by same-sex couples under federal law. The backlash against DOMA fueled efforts for advocacy and legal challenges that eventually led to pivotal Supreme Court decisions regarding marriage equality.
• Evaluate how the Supreme Court's decision in Windsor v. United States affected public perception of DOMA and its legacy in American society.
  • The Supreme Court's decision in Windsor v. United States not only invalidated key provisions of DOMA but also marked a significant shift in public perception regarding same-sex marriage. This ruling signaled a growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights and set a precedent for subsequent cases challenging discriminatory laws. The legacy of DOMA became one of resistance to change, ultimately paving the way for nationwide marriage equality with Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015, illustrating how societal attitudes toward marriage and sexuality have evolved over time.

Related terms

Same-Sex Marriage: The legal recognition of a marriage between two individuals of the same sex, which gained momentum in the early 21st century as part of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.

LGBTQ+ Rights Movement: A social and political movement advocating for the rights and acceptance of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual minorities.

Windsor v. United States: A landmark Supreme Court case in 2013 that struck down key provisions of DOMA, ruling that the federal government must recognize same-sex marriages performed in states where they are legal.