The Supreme Court in the American state of Iowa has unanimously ruled that a proposed law banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional.

The judges said: "The Iowa statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman violates the equal protection clause of the Iowa Constitution."

The court also ruled that Civil Unions would not be an acceptable alternative: "A new distinction based on sexual orientation would be equally suspect and difficult to square with the fundamental principles of equal protection embodied in our constitution."

Reports suggest same-sex couples may be able to marry as early as the end of this month.