In Boston last week a federal judge made two significant rulings in favor of gay marriage and striking down aspects of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). Massachusetts legalized gay marriage in 2004, yet couples who wed were prohibited from Social Security  benefits, joint tax returns, and leaving work to care for a sick partner. The Boston judge ruled that the government must treat Massachusetts gay married couples the same way as heterosexual ones.

Almost as significant as the judge’s decision, was the fact that Judge Joseph Tauro was an appointee of Richard Nixon. Conservative judges and courts across the country are ruling in favor of equal rights, including Iowa’s ruling allowing gay marriage and other court decisions in Connecticut and Massachusetts. Another major case in California over Prop. 8 is being considered by conservative appointed Judge Vaughn Walker. Conservative judges are the ones stepping up in the name of equality across the nation. Read more from The Boston Globe on this story.