The US Supreme Court has ruled
that same-sex marriage is a legal right across the United States.
It means the 14 states with
bans on same-sex marriage will no longer be able to enforce them.
Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote
that the plaintiffs asked "for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The
Constitution grants them that right."
It is unclear how soon marriage
licences will be issued in states where gay unions were previously prohibited.
The ruling, which sparked
celebrations outside the court in Washington DC, brings to an end more than a
decade of bitter legal battles.
President Barack Obama said the
ruling was a "victory for America".
"When all Americans are
treated as equal, we are all more free " he said.
However, Christian
conservatives decried the decision.
Former Arkansas governor and
presidential candidate Mike Huckabee called the ruling "an out-of-control
act of unconstitutional, judicial tyranny".
And Kellie Fiedorek, a lawyer
for an anti-gay marriage advocacy group, said the decision "ignored the
voices of thousands of Americans".
Loud cheers erupted outside the
court after the ruling was announced, and there were tears, hugs, and cheers of
"USA USA USA!".
A sea of rainbow flags overwhelmed
the few anti-gay marriage activists who reacted in disbelief.
A tour bus drove past honking
as hundreds cheered the decision
One of the demonstrators,
Jordan Monaghan, called his mother from his mobile phone amid the celebrations.
"Hey mom, I'm at the
Supreme Court. Your son can have a husband now," Mr Monaghan said.
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