The Big Week at SCOTUS: What Stands Out Most

I did one final guest post about the historic U.S. Supreme Court arguments on same-sex marriage over at Above the Law, linked here.

DOMA Arguments at SCOTUS: Five Money Quotes

I did another guest post for Above the Law, linked here. This one is a short piece with some quotes from the Defense of Marriage Act arguments today at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Today: DOJ and Two Key Gay Rights Appeals

Two key gay rights appeals in the news today, one filed and another under consideration:

1-Today, DOJ appealed a federal district court's rulings against the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as between a man and a woman and denies federal benefits to same-sex couples.  DOJ's spokeswoman noted the Department's longtime practice of defending federal statutes (although President Obama has spoken out against DOMA).

2-Also today, another federal district judge issued an injunction, preventing the military from enforcing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."  Per a Jan Crawford report, DOJ is also preparing to appeal this ruling.  Although the Obama Administration opposes DADT, it wants Congress, not the courts, to resolve the issue, Crawford reports.

The First Circuit will decide the DOMA appeal and the Ninth Circuit, the DADT appeal, if filed.