How the CA Gay Marriage Ruling Affects Benefits and Taxes Some of the biggest domestic news last week was the announcement that California's Supreme Court overturned the ban on gay marriage. The ruling means that same-sex couples will be able to obtain California marriage licenses and will be treated with the same state rights as heterosexual couples. In terms of benefits and taxes, not much will technically change from the existing CA domestic partnership law, but the language of marriage is important because it will make it easier for employers and health insurers to comply with the existing law.