570 U.S. 744 (2013)
United States v. Windsor is a landmark Supreme Court case that addressed the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), a federal law that defined marriage as the union of one man and one woman for purposes of federal benefits.
Does Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, which defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, violate the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of equal protection to legally married same-sex couples?
The Fifth Amendment's Due Process Clause, which encompasses an equal protection component, prohibits the federal government from enacting laws that unjustifiably discriminate against a group of individuals.
Yes, Section 3 of DOMA is unconstitutional as it violates the Fifth Amendment by denying legally married same-sex couples the same federal benefits that are granted to opposite-sex couples.
United States v. Windsor is significant not only for its immediate impact on the federal recognition of same-sex marriages but also for its role in shaping the landscape for future jurisprudence on LGBT rights. It highlighted the importance of equal protection and due process as cornerstones of constitutional interpretation. It challenges law students to consider how constitutional principles adapt to evolving societal norms and the role of the judiciary in confronting legislative actions that constitute discrimination. Windsor paved the way for further legal advancements, culminating in the landmark decision of Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.