A Boston appeals court has ruled that the federal Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional, according to several media sources.

The Boston Herald reports that the First Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the law infringes on the constitution by denying benefits to same-sex married couples.

According to the Associated Press (via WBZ), the ruling supports a 2010 judge's decision that states have the power to define marriage and that DOMA, as it is known, discriminates against gay married couples by denying them federal benefits — like the ability to file joint federal tax returns.

President Obama's administration had previously announced it would no longer defend the 1996 law.