Mass AG Files Federal DOMA Suit

Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley filed a lawsuit today challenging the federal government for denying equal benefits to the citizens of her state under DOMA.

In March, Coakley expressed strong support for GLAD's similar DOMA challenge, saying, "DOMA is a law that codifies discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. Because of this law, individuals in same-sex marriages often pay more in federal income taxes, are not eligible for surviving spouse benefits from the Social Security Administration and, if they are employed by the federal government, cannot obtain healthcare coverage for their spouses."