Same-sex couples celebrate ruling

SAN FRANCISCO: Joy and anger greeted California’s decision to overturn a ban on gay marriage Thursday, with supporters hailing a historic victory as critics railed against the ruling as an attack on the institution of marriage.

The decision by the California Supreme Court to effectively greenlight same-sex marriage was described as a momentous milestone by Lorri Jean of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Centre.

“The California Supreme Court had the integrity and the courage to do its job and say that all Californians are entitled to equal protection of the law,” Jean said.

Plaintiffs in the lawsuit, which included the City of San Francisco, were overcome with emotion after the ruling. “We have waited more than 50 years for the opportunity to marry,” said Phyllis Lyon, 80, referring to her partner Del Martin, 84. The couple had been together 55 years and married in San Francisco on February 12, 2004, only to see their union annulled.

New York-based rights watchdog Human Rights Watch said the California ruling “affirmed that equality does not come with exceptions.”