Today the Supreme Court will hear arguments debating the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a law that denies federal benefits to same-sex couples married in states where gay marriage is legal. This comes a day after the Supreme Court heard arguments surrounding Proposition 8, the California amendment that prohibits gay marriage in the state. DOMA was originally signed into law in 1996 by then-President Clinton; but this week, the former president said that he now believes the law should be overturned.
The two cases sparked national debate and a viral online campaign in which thousands of users on Facebook and Twitter changed their profile pictures to red equal signs, showing their support for gay marriage. Hundreds of activists on both sides of the debate demonstrated in front of the Supreme Court building yesterday, and a large turnout is expected again today. Following yesterday’s oral arguments (a full audio recording is available here), some analysts believe that a sweeping Supreme Court ruling about the legality of same-sex marriage is unlikely …