Major victories for the gay rights movement as the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down a federal law that restricted the definition of marriage to opposite-sex couples.<br/> <br />In a separate ruling the High Court paved the way for gay marriage in California by avoiding a ruling on a state ban.<br/> <br />The 5-4 vote the Defense of Marriage Act, means that legally married gay men and women are entitled to claim the same federal benefits that are available to opposite-sex married couples.<br/> <br />Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the majority opinion that the Defense of Marriage Act violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equal protection.<br/> <br />In the California case, the court sidestepped a broad ruling that would impact the whole country saying it could not decide a closely watched case on the constitutionality of a California law that restricts marriage to opposite-sex couples.<br/> <br />(SOUNDBITE) (English) PLAINTIFF JEFF ZARILLO, SAYING:<br/> <br />"Today the Supreme Court said that I am more equ
