Striking down the Defense of Marriage Act, on which the Supreme Court is set to hear arguments, could change over a thousand laws affecting 9 million Americans.
Nearly 9 million LGBT Americans could one day have federally-recognized marriages.
Not all states allow gay marriage, and repealing the Defense of Marriage Act won't change that. But couples who marry in those states that do would have their marriages recognized by the federal government if DOMA were struck down.
Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
That includes about 110,000 couples raising children.
Above, Jo-ann Shain (right) and Mary Jo Kennedy (second from right) with Shain's daughter, Aliya Shain, 24, and her girlfriend, all outside the Supreme Court.
Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
About 112,770 already married same-sex couples could have their marriages recognized by the federal government.
In the states that do allow same-sex marriages, couples still don't have all the protections of federally recognized marriage. If DOMA is repealed, that would change.
Image by Jonathan Ernst / Reuters
Half of those would receive better Social Security benefits in the event of one partner's death.
Under DOMA, same-sex marriages aren't recognized for the purpose of Social Security. If they were, half of married LGBT Americans would get higher benefits if one partner dies than they currently do.
Image by Beck Diefenbach / Reuters
