The United States Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that a 1996 law that denies federal benefits to legally married same-sex couples is unconstitutional.
That paves the way for married same-sex couples to receive retirement, health and tax benefits that are generally only available to heterosexual couples.
Twelve states and the District of Washington currently permit same-sex marriages.
In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to allow same-sex couples to marry.