(NECN: Kathryn Sotnik, Boston) - The Supreme Court of the United States will take up the Federal Defense of Marriage Act on Wednesday.
The 1996 legislation defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and denies federal benefits to married gay couples.
While the Court likely will not rule until June, people in New England are watching closely, including some Massachusetts state leaders.
"It should be an easy call for the Supreme Court today, and tomorrow," Boston Mayor Thomas Menino said, referring to both the DOMA case and Tuesday's hearing on gay marriage.
For more on the debate over gay marriage and the Defense of Marriage Act, see the attached video.
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