Leaders in the fight to protect to traditional marriage are taking their case to Capitol Hill.

The Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) will be the topic of Friday's 'Defending Marriage' hearing before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution.

House Speaker John Boehner defended the hearing, saying it was a "legitimate" use of federal funds.

"There are a lot of committees, a lot of hearings," Boehner said. "As I made it clear from the beginning of this year, the committee process is important to this institution, and I think addressing any question - serious question - in American society is legitimate."

Friday's "Defend Marriage" testimony comes as gay rights activists celebrate key legislation being re-introduced in Congress.

One of the measures, The Employment Non-Discrimination Act or ENDA, was  brought before the Senate Thursday. The bill creates federal protections against workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation.
    
The Uniting American Families Act was also reintroduced by House Democrats on Thursday. The measure gives immigration rights to same sex couples.