A federal judge ruled Idaho's same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional on Tuesday.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy Dale handed down the ruling following oral arguments on May 5. In her decision, she wrote that it is unconstitutional to deny gay and lesbians the fundamental right to marry, according to the Huffington Post.

She argued that marriage is a personal and spiritual experience for everyone and that Idaho's law essentially paints the gay and lesbian community as second-class citizens.

In a preemptive motion earlier in the day, Idaho Gov. Butch Otter requested an immediate stay if Dale ruled against the gay marriage ban.

"In the event of an adverse order, Gov. Otter will timely and duly appeal it to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals," the governor's motion read.

"In 2006, the people of Idaho exercised their fundamental right, reaffirming that marriage is the union of a man and a woman," Otter said in a statement. "Today's decision, while disappointing, is a small setback in a long-term battle that will end at the U.S. Supreme Court. I am firmly committed to upholding the will of the people and defending our Constitution."

The law was challenged last November when four Idaho couples filed a lawsuit against Gov. Otter and Ada County Clerk Chris Rich, the Associate Press reported.

Sue Latta and Traci Ehlers -- one of the four couples -- got married in 2008 in California and are grandparents. Ehlers said she is treated as a legal stranger to her grandchildren because of the state's law.

With Dale's ruling, same-sex couples' families are recognized as part of Idaho's community who deserve the same legal protections as all other families in the state, their attorney Deborah Feguson said.

"The court's ruling is a victory not only for the courageous couples who brought this case, but for everyone who cares about freedom and fairness," Ferguson said in a statement.