BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Same sex couples now have the right to legally marry.

The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state to legalize gay marriage.

Gay and lesbian couples all over the state anxiously awaited word if they could legally live in matrimony.

California's high court issued the ruling to overturn a voter approved law that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

This comes after a series of lawsuits from groups who sought to overturn the law.

Justices heard the cases brought by the city of San Fransisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples and other gay rights groups in March 2004.

That was when the court stopped a month-long city ordinace in San Fransisco that allowed gay couple's to marry.

California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights and responsibilities as married spouses.

However, this decision will now recognize the couples as a legally married.

Gay couples could start walking down the isle in 30 days.

That's the time it typically takes for Supreme Court decisions to become final.

Whitney Weddell, the chair of a local gay rights group, said she is exhilarated. She said today is the most exciting moment of her life. She also said she and her partner are ready to get married today, and if she can't then she will be first in line to get married when she legally can.

In response to the ruling, the gay and lesbian community in Bakersfield will rallied Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. on the corner of Chester and Truxtun avenues near the Liberty Bell.

They said whatever the court’s decision, they'll be rallied in support of legalizing gay marriage.

California already offers same-sex couples who register as domestic partners the same legal rights as married spouses, including the right to divorce, and sue for child support.