San Francisco (AP) The California Supreme Court has overturned a ban on gay marriage, paving the way for California to become the second state where gay and lesbian residents can marry.

The justices released the 4-3 decision today, saying that domestic partnerships are not a good enough substitute for marriage.

The cases were brought by the city of San Francisco, two dozen gay and lesbian couples, equality California and another gay rights group in March 2004. They were filed after the court halted San Francisco's month-long same-sex wedding march that took place at
Mayor Gavin Newsom's direction.