Venue shopping and activist liberal judges explain that result. One thing you can't claim is that your desired ends were achieved democratically.
I don't think 'venue shopping' means what you think it means. Gay marriage bans have been adjudicated at virtually every level of 6 different court districts, going all the way to the top of each district. 5 of 6 times, gay marriage bans were overturned, totally 46 different proceedings and over 75 judges.
44 times gay marriage bans lost. When 95% of all cases on a particular topic go in a specific way, that's a pretty strong indication of the weight of current precedent.
With the USSC preserving EVERY lower court ruling that overturned gay marriage bans. And denying stays for EVERY state attempting to defend such bans.
Without exception.