Alaska ? The Alaska Supreme Court on Friday ruled it is unconstitutional to bar benefits to the same-sex partners of public employees, a victory for gay rights advocates in one of the first states to pass a constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Overturning a lower court ruling, the state high court said barring benefits for state and city employees’ same-sex partners violates the Alaska Constitution’s equal protection clause.

“It’s a good day for Alaska families,” said Carrie Evans, state legislative director for the Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign.

But Republican Gov. Frank Murkowski was “outraged” by the ruling and directed the attorney general’s office to determine the best way to overturn it, said his spokeswoman, Becky Hultberg.