United States v. Windsor

Definition

United States v. Windsor was a landmark Supreme Court case that struck down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which had denied federal benefits to same-sex couples who were legally married. The ruling was a significant victory for LGBTQ+ rights, as it recognized same-sex marriages for the purposes of federal law.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Windsor case was brought by Edith Windsor, who was required to pay federal estate taxes on her late wife's estate because their marriage was not recognized under DOMA.
2. The Supreme Court ruled that DOMA's definition of marriage was unconstitutional, as it violated the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
3. The Windsor decision paved the way for federal recognition of same-sex marriages, leading to the extension of over 1,000 federal benefits and protections to these couples.
4. The ruling was a significant milestone in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, as it represented the first time the Supreme Court had struck down a law targeting same-sex couples.
5. The Windsor decision, along with the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling two years later, laid the groundwork for the nationwide legalization of same-sex marriage.

Review Questions

• Explain the key provisions of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and how the United States v. Windsor case challenged them.
  • The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was a federal law passed in 1996 that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, denying federal benefits and recognition to same-sex couples. The United States v. Windsor case challenged this provision of DOMA, as it required Edith Windsor to pay federal estate taxes on her late wife's estate because their marriage was not recognized under federal law. The Supreme Court ultimately ruled that DOMA's definition of marriage was unconstitutional, as it violated the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection under the law.
• Describe the significance of the United States v. Windsor decision in the context of the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
  • The United States v. Windsor decision was a landmark victory for the LGBTQ+ rights movement, as it represented the first time the Supreme Court had struck down a law targeting same-sex couples. The ruling paved the way for federal recognition of same-sex marriages, leading to the extension of over 1,000 federal benefits and protections to these couples. This decision, along with the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling two years later that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, were crucial milestones in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights.
• Analyze how the United States v. Windsor case and its subsequent impact on federal recognition of same-sex marriages relates to the broader themes of 'New Century, Old Disputes' discussed in this chapter.
  • The United States v. Windsor case and its impact on federal recognition of same-sex marriages can be seen as part of the broader 'New Century, Old Disputes' theme explored in this chapter. While the 21st century has brought significant progress in LGBTQ+ rights, the legal and social battles over the recognition of same-sex relationships have been long-standing and deeply rooted in historical disputes over the definition of marriage and family. The Windsor decision, which struck down a key provision of DOMA, represented a major shift in federal policy towards same-sex couples, but also highlighted the ongoing tensions and disagreements surrounding these issues. The subsequent Obergefell v. Hodges ruling, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, further demonstrates how new developments in LGBTQ+ rights have continued to intersect with 'old disputes' over the boundaries of civil liberties and traditional social structures.

Related terms

Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA): A federal law passed in 1996 that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, denying federal benefits and recognition to same-sex couples.

Obergefell v. Hodges:

A 2015 Supreme Court case that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, building upon the Windsor decision.

LGBTQ+ Rights:

The movement to secure equal rights and protections for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minorities.