Gay Marriage Rulings Bring Celebrations To Sacramento
SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Few in the crowd on Wednesday have fought longer for gay rights than Ellen Pontac and Shelly Bailes.
"We've been together 39 years, and we've been working on this for about 30 years, so it's been a long ride," Bailes said.
On the west steps of the Capitol, they joined hundreds celebrating two landmark Supreme Court rulings -- one effectively paving the way for same-sex marriages to resume in California by questioning the jurisdictional standing of a challenge to overturning Proposition 8, and the other striking down a provision in the Defense of Marriage Act that denied federal tax and health benefits to legally married same-sex couples.
Supporters marched to Sacramento's lavender district, dancing in the streets.
Pablo Sarmiento and Manny say they're finally planning a wedding.
"For me, to be able to look at a future where we can take care of each other so much farther, it's amazing," Pablo said.
But amid the celebration, a group of same-sex marriage opponents made their voices heard -- a reminder of how divisive the issue is.
Opponents are promising this isn't over, but most legal experts believe gay couples in California will be able to tie the knot in a matter of weeks.
