The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit on Thursday found the Defense of Marriage Act violates the right to equal protection guaranteed by the Constitution.
DOMA defines marriage as between a man and a woman and says states don't have to recognize same-sex marriage.
It has the practical effect of sometimes requiring gay couples to pay more federal taxes.
In striking the law down, the Second Circuit sided with a 83-year-old Edith Windsor, who was forced to pay estate taxes after the death of her wife in 2009.
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to take up DOMA – as well as California's Proposition 8, which barred same-sex marriage in the state – this term.
SEE ALSO: 83-Year-Old Lesbian Hopes She Can Survive Her Fight Against The Defense Of Marriage Act
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