This is the story of two couples; two couples who come out of the same post-war generation, and who built their lives around the same emotional core of love, commitment, and devotion to one another. And yet, their relationships were marked very differently by history and by the laws that governed their lives.

Last week, as we were preparing to hit "send" on our income tax returns, we thought that maybe, just maybe, this year will be the last that legally married lesbian and gay couples will have to lie to the federal government about the nature of their relationships and file their taxes as single people.

Following Tuesday and Wednesday's hearings, I'm approaching all nine Supreme Court justices (yep, one at a time) like a bossy, side-ponytail-sporting 5-year-old offering advice, cynicism, support and even some actual ideas. (Hey, Scalia! I saved an extra minute for you!)

My 61st birthday was on the Sunday before the two days of oral arguments before the United States Supreme Court in the Prop 8 and DOMA cases, which will determine whether or not my life as an American citizen qualifies for equal rights under the law.

Because of the justices' skepticism regarding BLAG lawyer Paul Clement's arguments in favor of DOMA, it seems quite likely that there are at least five votes on the court to invalidate it, especially if such a decision were based on issues of federalism rather than on an equal protection question.

The Defense of Marriage Act forces employers to treat married same-sex couples differently from married straight couples. For example, because of DOMA, employers must withhold more from the paychecks of married gay employees than from those of married straight employees.

The new media were ablaze on the evening of February 22 after U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli filed a brief in United States v. Windsor asking the Supreme Court to overturn Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

Next month, the United States Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in two cases concerning same-sex marriage. What are the legal issues?

The 10 senators promote the argument that Section 3 of DOMA serves as a disincentive for states' legalization of same-sex marriage. But they suggest that this is not based on animus against gays and lesbians.

I want the Supreme Court to rule that Ron and I have the constitutional -- that is, fundamental -- right to marriage and to be able to enjoy the same privileges and benefits of marriage that my siblings and friends enjoy.