Melissa Etheridge to marry lover

Melissa Etheridge has announced plans to marry her partner, actress Tammy Lynn Michaels.

The singer told Extra that it is the right time to tie the knot after California legislation made gay marriage legal in the state earlier this year.

"We have four children and we’re trying to find the right time now actually to go down and do it," Etheridge remarked.

The couple, who starred in teen drama Popular, will join Star Trek actor George Takei and chatshow host Ellen DeGeneres in taking advantage of the new law.