[00:54.53]President Obama has welcomed the United States Supreme Court ruling which quashed a law that discriminated against same-sex couples.

[01:02.03]In a landmark ruling, the judges struck down the defence of Marriage Act, a law that denied federal recognition of same-sex marriages.

[01:09.09]The historic ruling means that legally married gay, men and women in the 12 states where such unions are permitted,

[01:15.35]are now entitled to claim the same federal benefits as opposite-sex married couples.

[01:19.59]The two couples which brought that case celebrated the decision outside the court.

[01:24.04]Before turning to hug and kiss his partner, Paul Katami told the crowd that marriage was the natural next step in their relationship.

[01:30.92]"We want to join the institution of marriage not to take anything away, but to strengthen it, and to live up to its ideals.

[01:37.44]So today is good day. Today I finally get to look at the man that I love and finally say ‘will you please marry me?’"

[01:45.36]About 40, 000 people have marched towards the football stadium where Brazil have played Uruguay in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup.

[01:56.02]Thousands of police have assembled outside the stadium in the city of Belo Horizonte.

[02:00.52]The BBC’s Alastair Leithead was there.

[02:03.27]Thousands of people are making their way from the centre of Belo Horizonte—a long snaking line toward the football stadium.