US court overturns gay marriage ban

In a monumental victory for the gay rights movement, the California Supreme Court has overturned a voter-approved ban on gay marriage in a ruling that would allow same-sex couples in the biggest US state to tie the knot.

Domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage, the justices ruled 4-3 in striking down the ban. Outside the courthouse, gay marriage supporters cried and cheered as the news spread.

The city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and gay rights groups sued in March 2004 after the court halted the monthlong wedding march that took place when Mayor Gavin Newsom opened the doors of City Hall to same-sex marriages.

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