Vermont joined New York and Connecticut this week, in asking a federal appeals court to rule against the anti gay marriage law, the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), stating that the federal law is unconstitutional.

Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell stated Friday that DOMA, which restricts the legal definition of marriage as between a man and a woman, has denied same-sex couples access to federal benefits and perpetuates unfair discrimination.

The three states, which all currently allow gay marriage, argued that they, not the federal government, hold the right to regulate marriage.

The states joined other parties, including New York City, 145 members of of Congress, civil rights groups, religious organizations, and others to file court briefs in support of Edith “Edie” Windsor’s constitutional challenge to DOMA, on Friday.