On Wednesday, the second of two days of landmark arguments over same-sex marriage, the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the 1996 Federal Defense of Marriage Act which denies federal tax, pension, and other benefits to married same-sex couples. Defenders of the law say it appropriately defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman for purposes of federal benefits. Opponents say it violates equal protection. We analyze the arguments presented and the justices’ reactions.
Same-Sex Marriage and the Supreme Court: An Update
(Mark Wilson/Getty Images)
Guests:
Scott Shafer, reporter and host of KQED's The California Report
John Eastman, professor at Chapman University School of Law and chair of the National Organization for Marriage, an organization that supports Prop. 8
Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights
Vikram Amar, professor of law and associate dean for academic affairs at UC Davis School of Law
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