In a historic ruling sure to resonate across the nation, the California Supreme Court today ruled that no citizens of California are second-class when it comes to marriage rights.

In a 4-3 decision, the justices said the state's ban on same-sex marriage violates the "fundamental constitutional right to form a family relationship." The ruling is likely to flood county courthouses with applications from couples newly eligible to marry when the decision takes effect in 30 days.

The Governor of California, who has twice vetoed marriage equality bills passed by the legislature, will enforce today's Supreme Court ruling:

“I respect the Court’s decision and as Governor, I will uphold its ruling. Also, as I have said in the past, I will not support an amendment to the constitution that would overturn this state Supreme Court ruling.”

And we are reminded to be ever-vigilant, as out-of-state groups funded by bigots are still at work trying to enshrine discimination into the California constitution:

The celebration could turn out to be short-lived, however. The court's decision could be overturned in November, when Californians are likely to vote on a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages. Conservative religious organizations have submitted more than 1.1 million signatures on initiative petitions, and officials are working to determine if at least 694,354 of them are valid.

If the measure qualifies for the ballot and voters approve it, it will supersede today's ruling. The initiative does not say whether it would apply retroactively to annul marriages performed before November, an omission that would wind up before the courts.

But today, fair-minded Californians and people everywhere celebrate: I am as good as you, and my California family is as good as any other. I cannot convey the joy I feel knowing that soon we'll have a marriage certificate in our home.

Thanks to all of you for your support.

The ruling may be found here.