NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) – A landmark legal victory for the gay rights movement, Friday. By a 4-5 vote, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry in all 50-states.

President Barack Obama hailed the ruling —  calling it a “big step in our march toward equality”.

“This morning, the Supreme Court recognized that the constitution guarantees marriage equality. In doing so, they have reaffirmed that all Americans are entitled to the equal protection of the law; that all people should be treated equally, regardless of who they are or who they love.”

New Orleans celebrates

Jackson Square is the New Orleans address for a rally to celebrate the Supreme Court’s decision on marriage equality.

The fight isn’t over

It could still be 25-days before same-sex couples in Louisiana can get a marriage license. The Supreme Court decision has to be certified first. State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell said until he hears an order or mandate from the Supreme Court. The laws will stay as they are and marriage in Louisiana will only be between a man and a woman.

“This Supreme Court decision overturns the will of the people of Louisiana, and it takes away a right that should have been left to the states. Louisiana voters decided overwhelmingly to place in our constitution an amendment that defines marriage as between one man and one woman. I fought to uphold Louisiana’s definition of traditional marriage, and I was the first attorney general in the nation to be successful at the federal court level,” Caldwell said.

“I am extremely disappointed by this decision. It fails to respect traditional marriage as defined by Louisiana voters, and is yet another example of the federal government intrusion into what should be a state issue.”

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu called on the State of Louisiana to immediately recognize Friday’s Supreme Court ruling and begin issuing marriage licenses.

“The U.S. Supreme Court was clear this morning in its ruling; we have a fundamental right to marry the person we love. We are a nation of laws, and Louisiana is no exception. The State has no legal authority to delay issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples even a moment longer. It is time for Gov. Bobby Jindal and Attorney General Buddy Caldwell to stop denying committed, loving couples in Louisiana their constitutional right to marry. They’ve waited long enough,” Landrieu said.

The attorney general’s decision frustrated local same-sex couples who had hoped the supreme court ruling was the final word.