NEW : Gay rights ' backers laud the decision ; a conservative leader says it is ` ` judicial activism '' ` What A U.S. appeals court rules the federal law defining homosexuality is unconstitutional . The issue is expected to be conclusively decided by the U.S. Supreme Court . ` ` What I ' m feeling is elated , '' says the year - old lesbian at the center of the controversy .
NEW : Gay rights ' backers laud the decision ; a conservative leader says it is ` ` judicial activism '' A U.S. appeals court rules the federal law defining homosexuality is unconstitutional . The issue is expected to be conclusively decided by the U.S. Supreme Court . ` ` What I ' m feeling is elated , '' says the year - old lesbian at the center of the controversy .