DOMA Is Unconstitutional: Do You Agree?

Community Editor Sharon McLoone reported and wrote this story.  Jessie Biele contributed reporting.

The Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government cannot deny legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits enjoyed by heterosexual couples, striking down in a 5-4 ruling the Defense of Marriage Act.

Do you agree with the court’s ruling?

Virginia currently bans same-sex marriage although neighboring Maryland allows them. Washington, DC allows same-sex marriages and civil unions or partnerships.

The nation's highest court also Wednesday cleared the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California. Chief Justice John Roberts, who spoke for the 5-4 majority, said the private parties sponsoring the state's Proposition 8 did not have legal authority to appeal after a federal judge in San Francisco struck down the ballot measure.

Virginians have slowly been warming up to the idea of same-sex marriage. In 2006, 57 percent of Virginia voters approved an amendment to the commonwealth’s Constitution defining marriage as something between one man and one woman.

But a recent poll shows 46 percent of Virginians opposing same-sex marriage and 45 percent allowing it.

In Februrary, Virginia legislators and gay rights activists joined forces at the state Capitol to discuss their disappointment in Virginia's failure to repeal the state's constitutional ban against same-sex marriage in this year's General Assembly session.

 "I think that if anybody – gay, straight – wants to stand up in front of their family and friends and make that commitment to grow old together, it’s not for me, or the judge or the state to deny them that opportunity or that right," ” Del. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax) said at the event. 

Locally, the idea of same-sex marriage seems to be picking up steam. 

Del. Ken Plum (D-Reston) has repeatedly introduced legislation in the Virginia General Assembly challenging the Commonwealth's ban on same-sex marriage. While none of his bills have passed, he says the Supreme Court decision could help turn the tide locally.

"The courts made the right decision," he said Wednesday. "Hopefully it will move us forward in Virginia. 

Plum said he hopes that Virginia legislators can agree "the courts ruled; now let's take it out [of the Virginia constitution] altogether."

Falls Church Patch recently spoke with two men in a 13-year relationship  - Clifton Taylor and Lawrence Webb - who said they are glad to see progress in the fight for gay marriage.

In that interview, Taylor said: “I don’t know why there is an issue with gay marriage when 50 percent of heterosexual marriages don’t work.”