New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
and City Council Speaker Christine Quinn are expected to file a legal
brief in support of a gay window challenging the constitutionality of
the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which bars the federal government
from recognizing the legal marriages of gay and lesbian couples.
Edith “Edie” Windsor is the
83-year-old plaintiff who sued after she received an estate bill of
more than $360,000 after the death of he wife Thea Spyer. New York
District Court Judge Barbara Jones earlier this month ruled in favor
of Windsor.
Bloomberg and Quinn announced on
Wednesday that they would file a joint amicus brief.
“We believe that DOMA is
unconstitutional because it deprives married gay New Yorkers of equal
protection of the laws, and we are filing a brief in support to
support the case against it,” Bloomberg said in a statement.
“Edie Windsor's case is a tragic
reminder of the work that still needs to be done to extend equality
to all people,” Quinn said. “As courts across the country
continue to strike down DOMA's unconstitutional assault on our civil
liberties, I'm proud to join Mayor Bloomberg and the chorus of voices
that have called to repeal DOMA once and for all.”
(Related: Edith
Windsor thrilled with gay marriage ban DOMA ruling.)