Please Read! The most important court case ever to address equal rights for gays in America began today in California. This is not a case of liberals versus conservatives - one of the most famous conservative attorneys in the US is working on the side of the plaintiffs. He gives the best explanation While several states in the U.S. allow gay marriage or recognize civil unions, the federal government doesn't acknowledge them. According to the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO), there are 1,138 statutory provisions in which marital status is a factor in determining benefits, rights, and privileges. These rights and responsibilities apply only to male-female married couples. The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) defines marriage as between a man and a woman and thus bars same-sex couples from receiving any federal recognition of same sex marriage or conveyance of marriage benefits to same sex couples through federal marriage law. This is the court case that could change that - and is why it's so important. If you'd like to donate $5, $20 or $10,000 to help pay for the case, make a tax-deductible contribution at http:www.equalrightsfoundation.org