Summary: <p>The U.S. Supreme Court ruled this morning on two high-profile same-sex marriage cases. The justices voted 5-4 to strike down a key provision in the Defense of Marriage Act, known as DOMA. DOMA prohibits the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, even in states where they are legal. The court said "DOMA singles out a class of persons deemed by a state entitled to recognition and protection to enhance their own liberty." The court avoided a ruling on California's Proposition 8 ban on gay marriage. With a 5-4 vote, the court said it lacked jurisdiction to decide the case. A discussion of the Supreme Court's same-sex marriage rulings.</p>
