Same-Sex Domestic Partners Win Order On Federal Spousal Benefits Claim

[DriftingCrow]

http://www.buzzfeed.com/chrisgeidner/federal-court-employee-in-domestic-partnership-wins-ruling-o
Author: Chris Geidner Source: BuzzFeed

Three federal judges — including 9th Circuit Chief Judge Alex Kozinski — say it is discrimination for the federal government not to treat domestic partners like spouses, at least in states where they cannot marry, for purposes of receiving federal benefits.

The order of the administrative panel of the9h Circuit is not a court ruling directly applicable to other cases. It is notable, however, for the federal judges' conclusion that treating same-sex couples in a domestic partnership in a state where they cannot marry differently than married same-sex couples is unconstitutional.