Martha Olney, a UC Berkeley adjunct professor of economics, did not expect to see the day when she would be able to marry Esther Hargis, her partner of more than 24 years.

But in light of the California Supreme Court's decision last Thursday to strike down the constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, Olney and Hargis plan to officially tie the knot within the next few months.

"We're going to have a big party," Olney said.

The couple married in a religious ceremony in 1992, but said they are overjoyed to have the right to legally marry. The validation of same-sex relationships that the Supreme Court decision brings is a major step towards swaying public opinion because it shows that they are equal to heterosexual unions, Olney said.

"This relationship is valid and legitimate in the eyes of the law," Olney said. "Now people can't pretend it doesn't exist."

The couple said they plan to have the wedding before November, in case California voters approve a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage.

The constitutional amendment that the court overturned last week was put in place by California voters in 2000 through a ballot initiative. Since the court's recent decision, conservatives have again begun gathering the signatures necessary to put a similar initiative to ban gay marriage on the November ballot.

Still, Olney and Hargis said they feel it is the right time to go to the altar. The couple chose not to marry during the month-long period in 2004 when San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom legalized same-sex marriage in San Francisco because they did not think the decision would be upheld by the courts.

"We wanted to wait until it was clearly legal," Olney said.

Olney and Hargis said Thursday's decision is especially important for same-sex couples with children because it helps the children to see their families as equal to those with heterosexual parents.

"It's more than just validating it for us," Hargis said. "It's validating for the kids."

The couple have a 10-year-old son who they adopted about nine years ago. They said plans for the wedding include finding a place for him in the ceremony.

The court's decision came the morning of the final for Economics 1, a class of about 680 students taught by Olney. She announced the news at the beginning of the exam to thunderous applause.

"At least two students came up afterwards to say that their moms were getting married this summer," she said.

Though they are very excited to finally marry, like every couple, Olney and Hargis sometimes disagree.

When asked how quickly they think public attitude towards same-sex marriage will change, the two had different opinions.

"It will happen slowly," Hargis said.

"I think it will happen faster than she thinks it will," Olney said with a smile.

Tags: CALIFORNIA SUPREME COURT, SAME-SEX MARRIAGE, MARTHA OLNEY