The Supreme Court decided Friday afternoon to hear California's Proposition 8 and a DOMA case. Here's what you need to know:

• Prop 8: The Supreme Court has decided to hear the case. This means that:
  • Well, here's the official word from SCOTUSblog: 

• The Court will hear the case and the arguments in March and is expected to rule in June.
• Gay marriages in California won't happen unless the Court rules against Prop 8.

• Defense of Marriage Act: The Supreme Court has decided to take up the Windsor DOMA case. It's a challenge to DOMA in New York. In Windsor v. United States, the plaintiff couldn't claim an estate tax marital deduction after her spouse died.
  • On October 18, the Second U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New York became the second federal court to rule DOMA unconstitutional because the court believed the federal definition of marriage between one man and one woman (what's known as Section 3) violates equal protection and is therefore unconstitutional. 
  • Here's the official word from SCOTUSblog:

• Basically, the Court will have to decide whether or not Section 3 (one man and one woman...) is unconstitutional. 
• Again, arguments will be heard in March, a ruling likely to come in June.

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Alexander Abad-Santos