Bert and Ernie to cuddle on next week’s cover of The New Yorker

Next week's cover of The New Yorker will have Sesame Street characters Bert and Ernie cuddling on a couch in front of a TV on which the Supreme Court justices are shown.

Artist Jack Hunter, who originally submitted his image, unsolicited, to a Tumblr, titled his work "Moment of Joy."

It will help mark this week's Supreme Court rulings on the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage.

"It's amazing to witness how attitudes on gay rights have evolved in my lifetime," said Hunter. "This is great for our kids, a moment we can all celebrate."

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The court has now ruled DOMA unconstitutional, which has allowed federal benefits for same-sex spouses. It has also dismissed an appeal to uphold Proposition 8, removing a ban on same-sex marriage in California and allowing weddings to continue to be performed immediately.

In San Francisco, the first same-sex marriage since the decision to lift the ban was made was scheduled for Friday at 7:15 p.m. EST. One of the two couples that challenged Proposition 8, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, were first on the list to receive their marriage license.

Attorney General Kamala Harris said she was on her way to City Hall to perform the ceremony.