Pelley this is our western edition. Today, in one of the most momentous civil rights decisions in its history, the Supreme Court of the United States found that gay and lesbian americans have a constitutional right to marry. Cheers shook the courthouse steps. Licenses were issued and weddings performed in states where such marriages were outlawed. The vote in obergefell v. Hodges was 54. The dissents were vehement, led by chief Justice John Roberts. But the majority, led by Justice Anthony kennedy, found its justification in the 14th amendment, written after the civil war to extend equal protection under law to freed slaves. This court decided equal protection and due process also include samesex couples. Heres our chief legal correspondent, jan crawford. Reporter it was a ruling decades in the making, a hard fought victory for the right to marry, guaranteed in a landmark decision that emphasized equality for gays and lesbians and the full promise of liberty. Writing for the court, Jus