Rocker Melissa Etheridge has announced she is engaged to sitcom writer Linda Wallem. The couple have been dating since 2010. With the overthrow of the Defence of Marriage Act (DOMA), the couple can now legally wed with the same rights as heterosexual couples in California. 

The folk-rock singer was delighted with the news and immediately tweeted that she would be marrying her long-term partner Wallam. Her twitter status read "I look forward to exercising my American civil liberties and getting fully, completely and legally married this year to my true love of over three years, Linda Wallem".

Linda Wallem and Melissa Etheridge
The happy couple: Melissa Etheridge (L) and Linda Wallem (R) at Pier 60, New York. 

In an interview with CNN she said "Love is love and America is beautiful. . . It's just an amazing, amazing day. I'm proud to be an American"

Etheridge and Wallem are a perfect example of the excitement felt by gay rights supporters throughout the US following the Supreme Court's ruling to overturn the Californian Defence of Marriage Act. If the act had been pushed through, the state of California would only have recognised marriage "between a man and a woman". The act was declared "unconstitutional" yesterday (26th June). 

In overturning the act the Supreme Court has granted gay couples the same federal rights as heterosexual couples. In the state of California gay couples can now be legally married. 

Leonardo Dicaprio
Leonardo Dicaprio said the overturning of DOMA marked "an historic day".

Many celebrities were thrilled with the news and tweeted their congratulations to gay rights supporters across the States. Amongst them were Leonardo Di Caprio; Alyssa Milano and Lady GaGa. The US president also commented tweeting 'Today's DOMA ruling is a historic step forward for #MarriageEquality". In a similar fashion Dicaprio said it is "an historic day". 

Whilst Alyssa Milano tweeted that it is a "big day for equality and human rights. I'm smiling so big right now". Lady Gaga congratulated all those who were involved in overturning the act, tweeting "We stand tall today. So many fought for so long. Be proud, the prejudiced are now the minority."

Alyssa Milano
Alyssa Milano tweeted her excitement at the news.