NYC Backs Gay Widow's Suit Against Marriage Law

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the speaker of the City Council plan to jointly file a legal brief in support of an 82-year-old woman’s challenge of a federal law denying benefits to partners in a marriage.

The mayor and Speaker Christine Quinn announced their intent Wednesday, calling DOMA "unconstitutional."

Edith Windsor sued the government in November 2010. Her lawyers had argued that the law violates the equal protection guarantee of the U.S. Constitution.