California may be America’s third-largest state, but it in the process of becoming the second state, after Massachusetts, to allow same-sex marriage. In a four-to-three decision, the Supreme Court of California struck down two state laws limiting marriage to heterosexual unions. In the majority opinion, Chief Justice Ronald M. George wrote that marriage is a fundamental constitutional right and that preventing same-sex marriages violates the right of homosexual couples to equal protection under the California Constitution. The ruling will take effect in 30 days.