"An Extraordinary Day," Says Lambda Legal Client Karen Golinski

Guest blogger Karen Golinski is a federal lawyer in California. In 2010, Lambda Legal sued the federal government on her behalf, seeking health benefits for her wife, Amy Cunninghis. Last year, a district court judge declared the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional as it applied to Golinski.

This is an extraordinary day for our family and for all same-sex couples. We are thrilled that the Supreme Court recognized that the core of DOMA unconstitutionally treated our and other same-sex couples’ marriages as second-class.

When Amy and I heard the questioning at the Supreme Court argument in March, it was clear just how far things have advanced for our community. Throughout the proceedings, our relationships were discussed with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Now, tens of thousands of married same-sex couples across the nation have access to the myriad federal benefits and responsibilities accorded all other married couples in this country.

This decision is not an abstraction for the families formed by same-sex couples, including ours, whose financial, emotional and physical well-being depends on these benefits.

We are overjoyed that after nearly five years of fighting this battle, we can finally stop worrying and celebrate!

Learn more about the Golinski case.

Read the FAQs After DOMA: What It Means for You and Marriage for Same-Sex Couples in California. 

Still have questions? Contact our Legal Help Desk.