WASHINGTON – Gay-rights advocates won another victory in their fight for equal treatment under the law Thursday when the U.S. appeals court in New York struck down a key part of the Defense of Marriage Act and held for the first time that gays and lesbians are a minority group deserving of special protection from discrimination under the Constitution.

The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan joined a growing number of federal judges in New England and California who have ruled that the U.S. government may not deny equal federal benefits to legally married gay couples. More.

Washington state voters have Ref 74, an equality in marriage measure on the ballot. How likely do you think this is to pass?

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