The case of Windsor v. United States addressed issues related to what?

The case of Windsor v. United States specifically dealt with the unconstitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), which was enacted in 1996. The primary issue at stake was whether the federal government had the authority to define marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman, thereby denying federal recognition to same-sex marriages that had been performed in states that allowed them.

In its ruling, the Supreme Court ultimately held that a key provision of DOMA violated the principles of equal protection guaranteed by the Fifth Amendment. This landmark decision was pivotal in advancing LGBTQ+ rights and signaled a significant shift in the recognition of same-sex marriage within the United States. The ruling underscored the importance of equality and non-discrimination under the law, emphasizing that laws which treat individuals differently based on their sexual orientation are subject to a higher level of scrutiny.

This focus on the Defense of Marriage Act distinguishes the case from the other topics listed, as it is specifically concerned with marriage equality and federal recognition of same-sex marriages, rather than gun rights, voting rights, or school desegregation.