DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Same-sex married couples in Iowa could benefit from the Supreme Court decision to strike down the federal Defense of Marriage Act.
The court announced the decision Wednesday morning. A 2009 Iowa Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage in the state. But the Defense of Marriage Act — or DOMA — meant that those couples didn't have the same federal benefits as other married people.
Those benefits include filing joint taxes, receiving breaks on estate taxes and receiving Social Security survivor benefits.
Jennifer Harvey, who lives in West Des Moines with her partner and two children, says overturning the law would save her money and time but also means respect for her family.
If DOMA was overturned, Harvey says they would be treated like "first class" citizens.
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