Today the U.S. Supreme Court announced decisions that push forward rights for gay Americans: DOMA the federal Defense of Marriage Act, that denies legally married gay Americans a series of health, pension and tax benefits otherwise available to married couples was found unconstitutional; and California Proposition 8, a ban on same-sex marriage, was not reviewed (which is good news in this case).

From Metroweekly: “In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the Defense of Marriage Act defining marriage as between a man and a woman as a violation of the Fifth Amendment. In another 5-4 decision, the high court dismissed the Proposition 8 case on standing, meaning same-sex marriages will resume in California.”

Last March supporters and opponents packed the steps of the Supreme Court when the justices heard oral arguments.

In the neighborhood, Cobalt (17th and R NW) opened at noon in anticipation of early revelers. It should be interesting to see 17th Street, and the neighborhood in general, is a merrier place tonight.

Get an RSS Feed for all Borderstan stories or subscribe to Borderstan’s daily email newsletter.