Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) (1996)

Ley de Defensa del Matrimonio (DOMA) was a landmark legislation passed in 1996 in the United States. This federal law prohibited the recognition of same-sex marriages, defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman. The law was enacted in response to a growing trend of state-level legalization of same-sex marriage, with Hawaii being the first state to consider the issue in 1993. DOMA aimed to preserve the traditional understanding of marriage and ensure that it remained a union between a man and a woman. The law had far-reaching implications, affecting not only same-sex couples but also their families, employers, and the broader society. DOMA denied federal benefits and protections to same-sex couples, including Social Security survivor benefits, immigration benefits, and access to healthcare. The law also allowed states to refuse to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states, creating a patchwork of inconsistent and often discriminatory laws. DOMA's passage sparked widespread controversy and legal challenges, ultimately leading to its repeal in 2013 with the passage of the Respect for Marriage Act. Despite its repeal, DOMA remains an important milestone in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ+ rights and equality.