Statewide

Wednesday's US Supreme Court rulings have been celebrated by same-sex supporters across our area.

But since gay marriage is not recognized by Florida, the fight in the Sunshine state is just beginning.

‘Equality Florida' is the state's largest LGBT civil rights organization.

‘Equality Florida' Executive Director Brian Winfield said, "This is a quantum leap forward for our whole nation."

[VIDEO] See the Day of the Decision Rally in Tallahassee

[PHOTO GALLERY] of Day of the Decision Rally in St. Petersburg

Orlando's gay community and its supporters will hold a "Marriage Equality Rally" celebrating U.S. Supreme Court rulings on gay marriage at 7 p.m. today at Lake Eola Park.

Wednesday was bittersweet for Florida supporters of marriage equality.

The Supreme Court voted 5-4 to overturn part of the Defense of Marriage Act, which had denied federal benefits to married same-sex couples. But the ruling did not address state laws that invalidate same-sex unions.

Florida has a state statute and an amendment to its constitution defining marriage as between a man and a woman, and maintaining that same-sex marriages from other states are invalid.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- In significant but incomplete victories for gay rights, the Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a provision of a federal law denying federal benefits to married gay couples and cleared the way for the resumption of same-sex marriage in California.

The justices issued two 5-4 rulings in their final session of the term. One decision wiped away part of a federal anti-gay marriage law that has kept legally married same-sex couples from receiving tax, health and pension benefits.

South Floridians reacted to the Supreme Court's rulings Wednesday, which overturned the federal Defense of Marriage Act and rejected the appeal of a California marriage ban.

"It's a great decision, but I just think that there's a lot of growth that Florida needs to overcome," said Melanie Alenier.