Friday, 16 May 2008

Ellen and Portia to tie the knot!

Couple welcomes Californian law change

Ellen DeGeneres plans to wed longtime girlfriend Portia de Rossi, according to several reports.

DeGeneres made the announcement Thursday, according to the Associated Press and TMZ (which first reported the story). The news came hot on the heels of a judicial ruling that struck down California's laws against gay marriage.

De Rossi, 35, was reportedly in the studio when DeGeneres – who just celebrated her 50th birthday – made the announcement before a cheering audience. (The episode is scheduled to air Friday.)

In what's sure to be a controversial decision, the California's Supreme Court ruled that people have a fundamental "right to marry" the partner of their choosing – therefore the previous ban on gay marriage was ruled unconstitutional.

The two stars began dating in December 2004, as de Rossi was appearing on the FOX sitcom Arrested Development.

One key to their happiness, DeGeneres said last year, is that they learn from one another. "She's taught me lessons about myself, and I feel like I've taught her," said the TV host. "We've both changed and grown, and we just feel like, 'Oh, okay, this is completion.' "

By Caris Davis