 federal appeals court rules defense of marriage act unconstitutional the us court of appeals for the 1st circuit ruled 30 that the defense of marriage act which defines marriage as being between one man and one woman is unconstitutional because it denies federal benefits to legallymarried samesex couples currently eight states permit samesex marriage this ruling will certainly elevate the issue to the us supreme court read more at  wwwreuterscom article 20120531 usdomaappealidusbre84u0to20120531  federal appeals court rules defense marriage act unconstitutional  