Federal court strikes down Indiana same-sex marriage ban

CHESTERTON, Ind. (WLS) -- On Wednesday, a federal judge struck down Indiana's ban on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. The ruling orders Indiana authorities to start issuing marriage licenses.

Marriage is now possible for one Chesterton, Ind., couple who was part of a lawsuit seeking to end the ban on same-sex marriage, and now, they feel victorious.

"We can all get married now and just live happy ever after, that is what we were after," said Bonnie Everly.

Everly, 57 and her partner, 58-year-old Linda Judkins, have been together for 13 years. They were one of the couples that sued the state of Indiana to end a ban on same sex marriage. After Wednesday's ruling, they can legally get married, and they cannot wait.

"It is fantastic because now we can all be treated equal. I can live the same way you do, I can go to the store and hold her hand, and not be ridiculed. And we get all the benefits. It is wonderful," said Everly.

"Very emotional, our future is right here. Any step we take now, we can take together. If she goes to the hospital, I can take care of her. We can legally be married in our state," said Judkins.

"When two people love each other and two people want to marry, it doesn't make any difference what their gender is," said Ken Falk, legal director, ACLU of Indiana.

This has been a difficult battle for the Chesterton couple. They had their wedding rings made a while ago and finally will be able to exchange them.

"I am actually officially engaged today... Legally in this state now, I am," said Judkins.

In three weeks they hope to legally get married at the Methodist Christian Church of Illiana in Portage with Bonnies' son David and her daughter-in -law Heather at their side. The next step is marriage license, invitations and wedding dress.

"Hopefully the state of Indiana will not appeal this and we will be able to be married soon. We want to have that wedding that everybody else can have she can be walked down the aisle and I can take her hand and call her my wife," said Everly.

The Porter County Clerk's office said they have received many calls about same sex marriage. The Lake County Clerk's office married their first couple Wednesday afternoon: Eric Anthony Evans and Adam M. White of Crown Point.

The Indiana Attorney General plans to appeal the decision.