"Under these circumstances, we cannot find that retention of the traditional definition of marriage constitutes a compelling state interest.... Accordingly, we conclude that to the extent the current California statutory provisions limit marriage to opposite-sex couples, these statutes are unconstitutional.... [The state's constitution] guarantees same-sex couples the same substantive constitutional rights as opposite-sex couples to choose one's life partner and enter with that person into a committed, officially recognized, and protected family relationship. "

Exerpts from the The Supreme Court of California's 4-3 decision to support the rights of same-sex couples to be legally married (Reuters)