What's Next After Supreme Court's DOMA Decision

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Many are probably going to be very tired on Thursday after staying up late to celebrate the Supreme Court's historic rulings on same-sex marriage.

The high court declared the Defense of Marriage Act's definition of marriage as only being between a man and a woman is unconstitutional.

And the court deferred a ruling on California's ban on same-sex marriages, which means the law, which was overturned in lower courts, will be stricken from the books, opening the door for marriages to resume in California.

Supporters of same-sex marriage say they now have a new goal. They are going to try to get same-sex marriage legal in all fifty states within the next five years.

Currently, 37 states allow marriages for opposite-sex couples only.

Gay rights groups say they will start in Illinois, where the Legislature almost legalized same-sex marriage this Spring, and in New Jersey, where the Legislature did pass a same-sex marriage bill, but Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it.

Opponents of same-sex marriage say they will fight to keep marriage legal only between one man and one woman.

Later Thursday morning, Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak will introduce the first two same-sex couples that he will marry at Minneapolis City Hall just past midnight on August 1.

Minnesota's politicians in Washington had much to say about Wednesday's rulings.

It's a very, very good decision in my mind. I've been married to Frannie for 37 years it's the best thing to happen to me," Sen. Al Franken said. "I just believe that people in loving relationships ... that should be honored and respected."

"They attacked something that they have no jurisdiction over whatsoever, the foundational unit of our society, which is marriage. That is something that God created. That is something that God will define," Rep. Michele Bachmann said. "The Supreme Court, though they may think so, have not yet arisen to the level of God."

The timing of these Supreme Court rulings is great for the LBGT community. The big Twin Cities Pride celebrations are this weekend.