Supreme Court is likely to rule on Prop. 8, DOMA on Wednesday

Meghan Cleary, left, and Sarah Beth Alcabes from Berkeley, Calif., show their support for gay rights in front of the Supreme Court building in Washington.

By Timothy M. Phelps

June 25, 2013 12 AM PT

WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court will likely hand down decisions on the two gay marriage cases Wednesday, the last day of the court’s term.

The court issued a major ruling striking down part of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, and two smaller cases involving property rights and adoption rights.

But the most intensely awaited decisions will be handed down on the last day of the term amid what is likely to be a media frenzy.

Those cases are expected to decide the constitutionality of Proposition 8, the California referendum banning gay marriage, and a key section of the Defense of Marriage Act, the federal law that blocks legally married gay couples from receiving federal benefits.

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tim.phelps@latimes.com

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Timothy M. Phelps

Timothy M. Phelps covered the Justice Department and legal affairs in Washington, D.C. He was a reporter and editor for the Providence Journal, St. Petersburg Times, Baltimore Sun, New York Times and Newsday before joining the L.A. Times Washington Bureau as an editor in 2007. He was a foreign correspondent in the Middle East in the 1970s and the 1990s. Phelps covered the Supreme Court and Justice Department for Newsday in the 1990s, breaking the story of Anita Hill’s sexual harassment allegations against Clarence Thomas. He is co-author of a book about the nomination, “Capitol Games.” He left The Times in 2015.

Supreme Court is likely to rule on Prop. 8, DOMA on Wednesday

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