Historic Rulings on Marriage Equality

In two historic rulings today by the Supreme Court, each by 5 to 4 votes, the Court ruled the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) an unconstitutional violation of the Fifth Amendment, and declared California's Proposition 8 law banning same sex marriages null and void.  The ruling on DOMA means that in States that recognize same sex marriage, benefits enjoyed by heterosexual married couples must be extended to same sex couples (i.e., spousal health benefits, etc.).  However, it doesn't require States not recognizing same sex marriage to change their laws to allow marriage equality.

We can expect the movement for marriage equality to be energized at the State level in those States that don't allow same sex marriage.  Now that the Court has ruled favorably on gay rights issues, and with public opinion becoming more supportive every year, the tide for equality and freedom has shifted dramatically and that should be cause for celebration by everyone.

UPDATE:  If you can stomach it, here's "Justice" Antonin "Tony Thumb on Scales" Scalia's hateful dissent on the DOMA ruling.   Our reactions:  1) Methinks he doth protest too much, and 2) he should be committed to a mental health institution.