Karen Golinski explains she challenged
the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), the law
which forbids federal agencies from recognizing the legal marriages
of gay and lesbian couples, because it was hurting her family.
Golinski's case is one of several DOMA
challenges the Supreme Court will consider hearing this week.
Golinski married her wife Amy
Cunninghis in 2008 during the brief period of time California
recognized such unions. Citing DOMA, her employer refused to process
paperwork adding Cunninghis to her health-care coverage.
In February, U.S. District Judge
Jeffrey S. White sided with Golinski, declaring Section 3 of DOMA to
be unconstitutional.
The case was appealed to the Supreme
Court.
In a video interview with the AP,
Golinski explained that she filed the lawsuit because the law was hurting her
family.
“You know, like everybody I work hard
and I feel like I'm a valuable employee. And again I'm not getting
paid the same amount if I have to then pay for a whole separate plan
for Amy. … It was really hurting our family,” she said. (The
video is embedded on this page. Visit
our video library for more videos.)
The court is expected to announce its
decision by December 3.
(Related: Ted
Olson torn on whether Supreme Court should hear Prop 8 case.)