Orlando same-sex couples celebrate Supreme Court striking down DOMA

ORLANDO, Fla. — There are major celebrations Wednesday for same-sex couples after victories in two Supreme Court rulings.

The high court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and also cleared the way for gays to once again marry in California.

Eyewitness News at 10's Lori Brown discovered it's still uncertain what these decisions mean for gays in Florida.

Danny Humpress and Enrique de la Torre met in 1989.

They live in Orlando but got married in Washington, D.C., three years ago.

"As far as the state of Florida, it's meaningless," Humphress said.

It has also been meaningless for the Internal Revenue Service until Wednesday.

Humphress said the move is significant in a very real, monetary way.

"Right now, our marriage is being taxed differently because it's not recognized by the United States," Humphress said.

"I almost started crying, it was one of those emotional states, they're actually validating who we are," de la Torre said.

While same-sex couples celebrated, advocates for traditional marriage expressed concerns.

"Who's to say that polygamists in the future won't have the same argument? 'We're polygamists, and we want to be married and have federal benefits,'" Stephen Guschov with Liberty Counsel said.

It's unclear how the IRS will handle Florida same-sex couples who got married in other states, because Florida still only recognizes marriage as between a man and a woman.

"It is fairly clear that not all of the federal benefits traditional couples have will flow to the families (of) gay married couples in states with a constitutional ban," Nadine Smith with Equality Florida said.

Humphress and de la Torre said they are confident that one day their marriage will be recognized in Florida and all 50 states.

Florida Sen. Marco Rubio used strong language in a statement about the Supreme Court's decision.

He called it a serious mistake and said the court overstepped its limited role.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people will be in downtown Orlando Thursday night for a marriage equality rally at Lake Eola to celebrate both historic movements at 7 p.m.

WFTV