<span id="articleText">The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit ruled 3-0 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 legally-married, same-sex couples.&nbsp; Currently, eight states permit same-sex marriage.&nbsp; This ruling will certainly elevate the issue to the U.S. Supreme Court.&nbsp; Read more at: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/31/us-doma-appeal-idUSBRE84U0TO20120531">www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/31/us-doma-appeal-idUSBRE84U0TO20120531</a></span>