Is the Supreme Court about to review the Defense of Marriage Act?

Metro Weekly reports that the Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, led by Republican House members, mailed in its petition today to the Supreme Court following the May 31 ruling by the US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit that found DOMA's federal definition of marriage to be unconstitutional.

More after the jump!

Richard Socarides, the former White House aide from the Clinton years, explains the importance of Thursday's "Defense of Marriage Act" ruling by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals. 

So, what does Richard have to say about the Court finding the heart of DOMA unconstitutional?

It is not slander to falsely call someone "gay," an appellate court in New York state ruled today. Details follow. 

Updated 1:30 p.m. EST

More details and responses from the country's top LGBT organizations have trickled in following today's historic unanimous ruling by a federal appellate court against the "Defense of Marriage Act."

Good news! Maryland’s highest court ruled Friday that same-sex couples can divorce in the state even though Maryland does not yet permit same-sex marriages.

Yes, we know it’s weird to be excited about divorce, but this decision on the part of the court shows clear recognition of same-sex marriages by the state, even though same-sex marriages aren’t currently legal in Maryland.

More after the jump.

Senator John Kerry (MA) has stepped out in support of a same-sex married couple, writing a letter to the Department of Homeland Security to prevent the deportation of a married, Pakistani lesbian whose immigration status is not protected based on the Defense of Marriage Act.

More after the jump.

A federal appeals court will hear an appeal by a bipartisan congressional group on Wednesday in Boston, in an attempt by the group to overturn a ruling that declared a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) unconstitutional.

More after the jump.

Plaintiffs challenging Proposition 8 in Perry v. Schwarzenegger have filed a letter with the Ninth Circuit today asking the federal appellate court to deny the defense's request for an en banc appeal.

Updated 2:40 p.m. EST

Straight, err direclty on the heels of last week's decision against releasing the Prop 8 video tapes, the Ninth Circuit will tomorrow reveal the long-awaited ruling in the case of the constitutionality of California's same-sex marriage ban. Stay tuned to Instinct for the huge announcement (expected by 10 a.m. PST) on Tuesday. 

Also, a rally to respond to the Prop 8 decision has already been arranged to take place on the streets of West Hollywood between 6 and 9 p.m. For more information on the rally, organized by the NOH8 Campaign, Love Honor & Cherish, and other groups, head to the event's Facebook page. 

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has decided that the Prop 8 videotapes will remain sealed in its just-released ruling. Details follow. 

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals expects to issue its ruling on the public release of the Prop 8 trial videotapes on Thursday, February 2 by 10 a.m. PST. More details, after the break.

Legal teams in the Prop. 8 trial made what is expected to be their last appearance before the Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals this afternoon, with plaintiffs explaining why videotapes of the Proposition 8 trial should be publicly accessible and why Proponents’ motion to vacate judgment is meritless. Get the details of what happened inside the court after the jump.