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Under equal protection, same sex couples should have the freedom and support to marry their loved ones. Religious faiths that are opposed to the idea are free to not support the couples. Under DOMA each state was given the right to define marriage.

If same sex couples meet the set forth requirements to be a common law couple they should be able to marry and be treated equally.

Provisions of DOMA were recently struck down which gave same sex couples equal protection under federal laws. A recent development that's getting little attention is churches are changing their bylaws to protect themselves from lawsuits by the LGBT community. The bylaws are taking up where DOMA was struck down, declaring the church only recognizes marriages between a man and a woman.

The Defense of Marriage Act was deemed unconstitutional by a New York district judge. A women whose wife passed was left an estate, upon other things. The government, because of DOMA, did not acknowledge the women's spouses wishes.

The fed gov does not recognize same sex marriage, however six states have amended this and grant same sex marriage.

There will be five court cases heard by the supreme court about legalizing same-sex marriage. Several courts have legalized the marriages but 39 states still prohibit it. The DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act), which prevents federal governments from recognizing same sex marriage and allows each state the choice to do so as well, has been found unconstitutional in eight federal courts with two court appeals.

This article follows the fight of one of many couples in the armed forces fighting for recognition of their unity. Showing the impact of the Don't Ask Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act on military personnel and how it effected benefits they would receive if the military recognized domestic partnerships in full.