Toronto ? Two Canadian men were married Tuesday in the country’s first legal same-sex wedding just hours after an Ontario appeals court ruled that Canada’s ban on homosexual marriage was unconstitutional.

The appeals panel declared the current legal definition of marriage invalid and ordered Toronto’s city clerk to issue marriage licenses to the homosexual couples involved in the case.

Shortly afterward, Michael Leshner and Michael Stark wed in a civil ceremony observed by Leshner’s 90-year-old mother and about 50 friends and observers, most of them from the news media.

“We’re blissfully happy,” said Leshner, a Toronto lawyer, after exchanging rings with his partner of 22 years and offering a champagne toast outside the courthouse.

It was the latest in a series of court rulings against the federal ban, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Jean Chretien’s government to change the law or let the ruling stand.

The government can appeal Tuesday’s decision to Canada’s Supreme Court, an option Chretien said the government would have to study further before deciding.

Michael Lechner, left, and Michael Stark fill out their applications for a marriage license in Toronto. The Ontario Court of Appeal on Tuesday ruled that the common law definition of marriage as a union between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. The clerk of the city of Toronto immediately began issuing marriage licenses to all those who meet the requirements, including same-sex couples.

Leshner, a lawyer, said it would be impossible for Canada to return to the limited definition of marriage regardless of whether the government appeals.

“The argument’s over,” he said. “No more political discussion, we’ve won. … It’s a great day for Canada.”

A Parliament committee is studying the matter, and opinion polls indicate a slight majority of Canadians favor legalizing same-sex marriages. Heritage Minister Sheila Copps said Tuesday it was time to change the marriage definition to reflect modern social mores.

“When you’re speaking about equality, you’re talking about allowing people to exercise all rights under the law including all rights that are available to all others,” Copps said.