DOMA Ruling Could Provide Path To Citizenship For Local Man

CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Bucktown couple says they were living in fear two days ago - and now, because the Supreme Court has struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, they are not, reports WBBM's Steve Miller.

Gabriel Fontes is a citizen of Brazil and up to now had no way to stay here securely with his partner.

The Supreme Court's decision has apparently changed that.

"It means that from now on, we can start planning our future together instead of having to worry about our day-to-day situation and whether or not I'll be able to stay here."

Fontes plans to get a green card through his soon-to-be husband, the man he's marrying next month in New York, his partner of seven years, Grant Gochnauer.

"Gabe and I have talked about having kids. As we discussed, it is how do we feel secure in creating a home when there's no guarantee that you'll ever be able to be here in status..."

"I think there's 36,000 binational same-sex couples in the United States, and in one day, all of those couples lives changed."

In:
• Immigration