Landmark ruling backs gay couples' right to marry

An American court has ruled for the first time that gay couples have the right to marry.

The landmark decision also says that same-sex couples are entitled to the same rights and benefits as those of a man and a woman.

Judges at the Massachusetts Supreme Court claimed gay people had equal rights to a civil wedding, saying "the right to marry means little if it does not include the right to marry the person of one's choice".

Legal experts say the verdict will make gay marriages a major issue in next year's presidential election.

In a statement yesterday, Mr Bush called marriage "a sacred institution between a man and a woman", adding he would "do whatever is legally necessary to defend the sanctity of marriage".

Massachusetts was also told it has 180 days to recognise same-sex marriages or pass a new law that clearly makes them illegal.

The supreme court issued a new definition of civil marriage: "The voluntary union of two persons as spouses, to the exclusion of all others."

Yesterday's case was brought by a lesbian couple who were said to be "ecstatic" at the verdict.