WASHINGTON Supporters of same-sex marriage in the United States won two victories Wednesday at the Supreme Court with potentially far-reaching legal and political consequences.
Just after the decisions were made public, chants of USA and thank you from gay marriage supporters filled the air outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington.
In a five-to-four decision, the high court struck down a federal law passed in 1996 known as the Defense of Marriage Act that barred same-sex couples from receiving federal tax, health and pension benefits.
The majority opinion was written by Justice Anthony Kennedy and was joined by the courts four liberal-leaning members. The courts four leading conservatives were in the minority.
Kennedy cited the U.S. Constitutions guarantee of equal protection under the law in striking down a law that barred federal benefits to same-sex couples who were married in states where same-sex marriages are legal.
The case was brought by 84-year old Edie Windsor who was denied a federal tax break given to married couples because the federal law did not recognize her marriage to her wife, Thea, who died in 2009.
And to the justices of the Supreme Court, thank you for affirming the principle of equal justice under the law, Windsor said to reporters in New York City.
To all of the gay people and their supporters who have cheered me on, thank you, thank you, thank you! I am sure Thea is thanking you too.