Overturned Same-Sex Marriage Ban Has Mixed Reactions

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- While the state Supreme Court has declared that same-sex couples do have the right to marry in California, locally reactions are mixed to the ruling.

In a 4 to 3 ruling, the court struck down state laws against same-sex marriage and said domestic partnerships that provide many of the rights of matrimony are not enough.

Massachusetts was the first state in the nation to legalize gay marriage.

California, however, has no residency requirement for obtaining a marriage license, meaning gays and lesbians from around the country could come to California to be married.

The decision had mixed reaction Thursday as the decision came down.

“The Constitution of California says equal protection under the law. And either we mean that or we don’t,” said Whitney Weddell, advocate for a local gay rights group.

That same group planned to protest in the streets. Instead they said it turned into a celebration as the ruling was in their favor. "This is a huge, huge day,” said Weddell. “I’ve spent years working for this moment. I feel like a kid at Christmas. There’s packages under the tree. I can’t wait to be part of this."

But not everyone was satisfied with the court's decision. Pastor Phillip Lee of His Way Out Ministries said, “It's a sad commentary I believe today upon our nation that the California Supreme Court passed legislation to legalize same sex marriage.”

With the new ruling, same sex couples will have the right to get a marriage license in California by sometime in June.

Some groups said Thursday's decision could be short lived as a coalition of conservative groups is fighting to let voters decide on the issue in November in the form of a constitutional amendment.