U.S Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage nationwide

The Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage across the United States Friday in a closely divided ruling that will stand as a milestone in its 226-year history.

The justices ruled 5-4 that states cannot deny gay men and lesbians the same marriage rights enjoyed for thousands of years by opposite-sex couples. Within days if not hours, the decision is expected to trigger same-sex marriages in states that still ban the practice.

"They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law," Justice Anthony Kennedy said in his 28-page ruling. "The Constitution grants them that right."

Within minutes, county clerks in Michigan, one of the states being sued by same-sex couples, said they would begin issuing marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. "I cannot imagine forcing them to wait a moment longer," said Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum.

Kennedy announced the decision to a hushed courtroom; his colleagues watched stone-faced. As the sweep of his decision became clear, some in the audience embraced and cried.

USA Today