Crowd gathers in San Francisco to celebrate historic same-sex marriage ruling

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco's Castro District was up early in anticipation of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling and when they heard the news it was time to celebrate.

PHOTOS: Bay Area celebrate same-sex marriage ruling

Some people ABC7 News spoke with in the Castro District say they have been waiting all their lives for a decision like this to be made and had no idea they would be alive to see it happen.

DETAILS: 45TH Annual San Francisco Pride Celebration & Parade

It's the biggest victory yet for same-sex couples who have been fighting for marriage equality for years.

One San Francisco couple has waited a long time for this day. "We got up early specifically to hear it," Cameron Ayers said.

Ayers and Charles Prescott were overjoyed to hear the U.S. Supreme Court legalize same sex marriage in all 50 states. "It means so much, we were both laughing and crying this morning. We're getting married in November and it's important for us to be validated and we are legally protected now across the country as well as everyone else," Prescott said.

PHOTOS: Reactions to U.S. Supreme Court ruling on same-sex marriage

People held signs and flags at Harvey Milk Plaza, which was named after the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California.

Ngu Phan lives in San Francisco with his partner and says it's a special day for many reasons. "We have a son and today is his birthday, so we're celebrating a celebration with him and also growing up with him and educating him about equality is really important," he said.

Many say the historic court ruling couldn't come at a better time as San Francisco gears up for what's expected to be one of the most epic pride weekends here at home. "We are extremely lucky that the Supreme Court decided right? It's going to be a great pride weekend," one woman said.

In the South Bay, officials have raised the rainbow flag at San Jose's City Hall for a rally and celebration expected to start at 6 p.m.

PDF: Supreme Court opinion on same-sex marriage

PDF: Supreme Court summary of Obergefell vs Hodges

President Barack Obama called same-sex marriage lead plaintiff Jim Obergeffell to commend him on his leadership, which he said was an honor to be involved in this fight.

The fact that the U.S Supreme Court ruling coincides with Pride weekend in the Bay Area makes the victory that much sweeter, but not everyone is happy with the decision.

Although many are celebrating, there are others who see it as a huge blow to tradition, religion and family values.

Although it passed, four of the nine justices voted against the same-sex marriage ruling.

They each wrote their own arguments to explain why. "If you are among the many Americans of whatever sexual orientation who favor expanding same-sex marriage by all means celebrate today's decision, but do not celebrate the Constitution. It had nothing to do with it," Chief Justice John Roberts said.

"The decision was not unexpected at all," Catholics for the Common Good spokesperson Bill May said.

But May strongly disapproves because he's concerned what the ruling will do to family values. "In reality what the court did is eliminate the only civil institution that's specifically geared for uniting kids with their moms and dads. So the question becomes do we need such an institution?" he said.

For full coverage on the same-sex marriage battle, click here.