Same-sex marriage ban eradicated in California

California became the second state in the U.S. to allow same-sex couples to marry after a ruling from the California Supreme Court struck down the ban Thursday.

In a 120-page ruling, the justices said that "responsibility to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation."

The ruling, which takes effect in 30 days, surprised many legal experts because the court has a conservative reputation. In fact, six of its seven judges are Republican appointees.

Shannon Minter, attorney for one of the plaintiffs who sued the city for unlawful discrimination, said the ruling was a "moment of pure happiness and joy for so many families in California."

He said California sets the tone for other states across the nation to allow same-sex couples to marry. Massachusetts remains the only other state that allows this.

The decision also set off a firestorm among groups opposing same-sex marriage.

"So-called 'same-sex' marriage is counterfeit marriage," Concerned Women for America policy director Matt Barber said. "Marriage is, and always has been, between a man and a woman. We know that it's in the best interest of children to be raised with a mother and a father. To use children as guinea pigs in radical San Francisco-style social experimentation is deplorable."