By Katherine Dean
U.S. District Judge Joseph Tauro on Wednesday granted a 60-day stay on his July ruling, which found DOMA unconstitutional. His decision is on hold pending appeal by the U.S. Department of Justice. If the Justice Department decides to appeal Judge Tauro’s ruling, the case will be heard in the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.
Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) attorney Mary Bonauto, who argued on behalf of the plaintiffs, did not fight the amended judgment stating, “First and foremost, it is in our clients’ best interest. They want the certainty of knowing that their Social Security payments, health insurance costs, or tax refunds are not potentially subject to repayment to the government. Only a final victory ensures that.”