5-4 decision; opinion written by Justice Kennedy; dissenting are Justices Roberts, Scalia, Alito, and Thomas. Excerpt from the syllabus: "DOMA is unconstitutional as a deprivation of the equal liberty of persons that is protected by the Fifth Amendment.... By history and tradition the definition and regulation of marriage has been treated as being with in the authority and realm of the separate States.... DOMA rejects this long-established precept. The State's decision to give this class of persons the right to marry conferred upon them a dignity and status of immense import. But the Federal Government uses the state-defined class for the opposite purpose -- to impose restrictions and disabilities." [U.S. v. Windsor, No. 12-307 (U.S. June 26, 2013)]  MORE >>