US Supreme Court gay marriage decision: The issues

The US Supreme Court has struck down a law denying federal benefits to gay couples and paved the way for same-sex unions to resume in California, in two landmark rulings.

The court's 5-4 decision said the Defense of Marriage Act, known as Doma, denied equal protection to same-sex couples and was unconstitutional.

The court also declined to rule on a California ban on same-sex marriage known as Proposition 8. The decision paves the way for gay unions there.

Tim Willcox reports.