The California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday thatProp 22 - the voter approved initiative used to block same-sex marriage - is unconstitutional.

The court also said that California's domestic partnership law is not a good enough substitute for marriage, reports 365gay.com.

The 4-3 ruling. written by Chief Justice Ron George, paves the way for gay and lesbian couples to marry once the ruling is officially published by the court next month.

Once that is done, same-sex couples in California will be able to obtain civil marriage licenses.

"In contrast to earlier times, our state now recognizes that an individual's capacity to establish a loving and long-term committed relationship with another person and responsibly to care for and raise children does not depend upon the individual's sexual orientation, and, more generally, that an individual's sexual orientation - like a person's race or gender - does not constitute a legitimate basis upon which to deny or withhold legal rights," George wrote for the majority on the mostly Republican appointed court.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said that he accepts the ruling of the court.

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