row|rollovertext|backgroundinfo--donotuse|rightsnumber|state|fips|date
1|Ala.|1/1/2000|3|Alabama bans same-sex marriages. It also does not recognize such marriages performed elsewhere.|Law bans gay marriage and does not recognize unions performed elsewhere
2|Alaska|1/1/2000|2|Alaska's constitution bans same-sex marriage.|Constitution bans gay marriage
4|Ariz.|1/1/2000|4|Arizona law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
5|Ark.|1/1/2000|4|Arkansas law bans same-sex marriage|Law bans gay marriage
6|Calif.|1/1/2000|4|California law does not recognize same-sex marriages.|Law does not recognize gay marriage
8|Colo.|1/1/2000|4|Colorado law does not recognize same-sex marriage.|Law does not recognize gay marriage
9|Conn.|1/1/2000|4|Connecticut law does not recognize same-sex marriage.|Law does not recognize gay marriages
11|D.C.|1/1/2000|4|Same-sex marriage is not recognized in Washington, D.C.|Law does not recognize gay marriage
10|Del.|1/1/2000|4|Delaware law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
12|Fla.|1/1/2000|4|Florida law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
13|Ga.|1/1/2000|4|Georgia law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
15|Hawaii|1/1/2000|4|In 1997, Hawaii passes a law granting a legal relationship to couples who cannot legally marry. Two years later a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage is upheld.|Constitutional amendment bans gay marriage.
16|Idaho|1/1/2000|4|Idaho law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
17|Ill.|1/1/2000|4|Illinois law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
18|Ind.|1/1/2000|4|Indiana law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
19|Iowa|1/1/2000|4|Iowa state law bans same-sex marriage|Law bans gay marriage
20|Kan.|1/1/2000|4|Kansas state law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
21|Ky.|1/1/2000|4|Kentucky state law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
22|La.|1/1/2000|4|Louisiana state law bans same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
23|Maine|1/1/2000|4|Maine law limits marriage to a union between one man and one woman. 1997 legislation - Persons of the same sex may not contract marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
25|Mass.|1/1/2000|6|Massachusetts law allows same-sex couples to register as domestic partners. No laws explicitly prohibit same-sex couples from marrying.|Domestic partnerships are legal. No law bans gay marriage
24|Md.|1/1/2000|3|Maryland law does not permit same-sex marriage nor does it recognize domestic partnerships.|Law bans gay marriage and does not recognize domestic partnerships
26|Mich.|1/1/2000|4|Michigan law prohibits same-sex marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
27|Minn.|1/1/2000|4|Minnesota lawmakers banned gay marriage in 1997.|Law bans gay marriage
28|Miss.|1/1/2000|4|Mississippi law bans gay marriage.|Law bans gay marriage
29|Mo.|1/1/2000|4|In 1998 the Missouri Supreme Court overturned, on a technicality, a 1996 law that contained a ban on same sex marriage. Missouri law still defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
30|Mont.|1/1/2000|5||Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
31|Neb.|1/1/2000|5||No law explicitly bans gay marriage
32|Nev.|1/1/2000|4||Law bans same sex marriage
35|N.M.|1/1/2000|5|New Mexico state law defines marriage as a contract between parties but doesn't explicitly ban same-sex marriage.|No law explicitly bans gay marriage.
37|N.C.|1/1/2000|4|North Carolina does not recognize same-sex marriage.|State law does not recognize same-sex marriage.
38|N.D.|1/1/2000|4|Gov. Ed Schafer signed legislation that prohibits same-sex marriage in North Dakota in 1997.|Legislation prohibits same-sex marriage.
33|N.H.|1/1/2000|4|New Hampshire's marriage law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Marriage laws prohibit a man from marrying another man, and to prohibit a woman from marrying another woman.|Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
34|N.J.|1/1/2000|4|New Jersey defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
36|N.Y.|1/1/2000|4|New York law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
39|Ohio|1/1/2000|5||Law does not explicitly ban gay marriage
40|Okla.|1/1/2000|3|Oklahoma law does not permit or recognize same-sex marriages.|Law does not permit or recognize gay marriage.
41|Ore.|1/1/2000|4|Oregon does not allow same-sex marriage.|Law does not allow gay marriage
42|Pa.|1/1/2000|4|Pennsylvania laws do not allow same-sex marriage.|Law does not allow gay marriage
44|R.I.|1/1/2000|5|Rhode Island law defines marriage as being between a man and a woman. In February 2007,  Attorney General Patrick Lynch wrote "Rhode Island has not enacted any legislation prohibiting same-sex marriages or stating a public policy against same-sex marriage,"|Law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
45|S.C.|1/1/2000|4|In May 1996 S.C. Gov. David Beasley signed a measure banning same-sex marriages.|Legislation bans gay marriage
46|S.D.|1/1/2000|4|South Dakota state law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Law bans gay marriage
47|Tenn.|1/1/2000|4|Tennessee only recognizes the union of  a man and a woman.|Legislation prohibits same-sex marriage.
48|Texas|1/1/2000|5|Texas only permits marriage between a man and a woman.|Marriage allowed only between a man and a woman.
49|Utah|1/1/2000|4|Utah prohibits same-sex marriage in April 1997 through legislation.|Legislation prohibits same-sex marriage.
51|Va.|1/1/2000|4|Virginia only recognizes marriage as the union of a man and a woman.|Law bans gay marriage
50|Vt.|1/1/2000|9||State Supreme Court ruled in Dec. 1999 that gay couples were entitled to benefits and protections of traditional marriage. Justices order state legislature to determine how to implement those rights.
54|W.Va.|1/1/2000|4|West Virginia defines marriage as a union between a woman and a man.|Law bans gay marriage
53|Wash.|1/1/2000|4|Washington prohibits same-sex marriage.|Law prohibits same-sex marriage
55|Wis.|1/1/2000|5||No specific law bans gay marriage. State defines marriage as a civil contract "between one man and one woman."
56|Wyo.|1/1/2000|5|Wyoming law defines marriage as a union between a woman and a man.|Law defines marriage as a union between a woman and a man.
6|Calif.|1/3/2000|6|California begins accepting domestic partnerships.|State accepts domestic partnerships offering limited benefits
6|Calif.|3/7/2000|6|California voters approve Proposition 22, a statute that bans same-sex marriage. Domestic partnership laws remain in place.|Voters pass Prop. 22 banning gay marriage. Domestic partnerships remain
50|Vt.|4/26/2000|9|Gov. Howard Dean signs landmark legislation April 26, 2000, granting the full benefits of marriage to same-sex couples in the Vermont. Under the law, same-sex couples will be able to enter into a civil union intended to be the parallel of marriage.|Civil union law signed
8|Colo.|5/27/2000|4|Colorado enacts legislation explicitly banning gay marriages.|Law bans gay marriage
50|Vt.|7/1/2000|9|Civil unions become legal in Vermont.|Civil unions begin
31|Neb.|11/7/2000|1|Nebraska voters amend the state Constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage. The law also prohibits same-sex couples from benefiting from many of the legal protections that heterosexual couples enjoy.
32|Nev.|11/7/2000|1|Nearly 70% of Nevada voters approve amending the constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and to ban recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages. State law already bans same-sex marriage. In Nevada constitutional amendments must be passed twice before taking effect.|Voters approve amending the constitution to define marriage as a union between a man and a woman and to ban recognizing out-of-state gay marriage. State law already bans such unions. The amendment must be passed twice before taking effect.
29|Mo.|7/13/2001|3|Missouri restores its ban on same-sex marriages and refuses to recognized gay marriage performed elsewhere.|Gay marriage ban restored. Law also bans recognizing gay marriages performed elsewhere.
6|Calif.|10/14/2001|7|California expands domestic partners rights, adding about a dozen legal benefits.|Domestic partner rights expanded
11|D.C.|1/30/2002|6|Washington, D.C. legalizes domestic partnerships.|Domestic partnerships legalized
32|Nev.|11/5/2002|2|Nevada voters approve a constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriages.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
48|Texas|5/27/2003|3|Texas prohibits recognition of gay marriages and civil unions performed in other states.|Texas prohibits recognition of out-of-state gay marriages and civil unions
6|Calif.|9/19/2003|7|California grants family and financial protections to gay couples.|Law grants family and financial protections to gay couples.
25|Mass.|11/18/2003|6|Massachusetts' highest court says the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to wed. The Legislature has 180 days to enact legislation.|High court says constitution guarantees marriage rights for gay couples
34|N.J.|1/12/2004|9|New Jersey passes the Domestic Partnership Act, which grants unprecedented legal, health care and financial rights to same-sex partners.|Law grants unprecedented rights to gay couples through a "Domestic Partnership Act" equivalent to other state's civil unions
39|Ohio|2/6/2004|3|Ohio bans same-sex marriage and prohibits state employees from providing benefits to unmarried couples, regardless of sexual orientation.|Law bans gay marriage and bans benefits for unmarried couples
35|N.M.|2/20/2004|5|Sandoval County grants marriage licenses to 26 same-sex couples. By afternoon the New Mexico's attorney general revokes them as invalid.|Sandoval County grants marriage licenses to gay couples. They are quickly revoked by N.M. attorney general. State has no laws specifically banning gay marriage.
41|Ore.|3/4/2004|10||Multnomah County officials begin marrying gay couples
41|Ore.|4/20/2004|4||Judge halts gay marriages, but orders state to recognize 3,000 unions already performed
23|Maine|4/28/2004|6||Governor signs domestic partnership bill. The new law takes effect June 30.
25|Mass.|5/17/2004|10|Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same-sex marriage.Only Belgium, Denmark, the Netherlands and three Canadian provinces previously allowed gay couples to marry.|Gay marriage is legal
29|Mo.|8/3/2004|2|Missouri voters overwhelmingly approve a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
22|La.|9/18/2004|1|Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approve a state constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages, civil unions and domestic partnerships.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships
22|La.|10/5/2004|4|A judge throws out an amendment to the Louisiana Constitution banning gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships because the state Legislature failed to make it narrow enough.|Judge throws out amendment banning gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships.
5|Ark.|11/2/2004|1|About three-quarters of Arkansas voters approve an amendment banning same-sex marriage and prohibiting other legal arrangements for same-sex couples.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and prohibit legal arrangements for gay couples
13|Ga.|11/2/2004|2|Nearly 80% of Georgia voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
21|Ky.|11/2/2004|1|Kentucky voters approve an amendment banning same-sex marriage and civil unions.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions
26|Mich.|11/2/2004|1|Michigan voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions
30|Mont.|11/2/2004|2|More than 60% of Montana voters pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
38|N.D.|11/2/2004|2|North Dakota voters pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
39|Ohio|11/2/2004|2|Ohio voters overwhelmingly pass a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
40|Okla.|11/2/2004|1|Voters in Oklahoma pass a constitutional amendment defining marraige as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and extension of benefits to gay couples
41|Ore.|11/2/2004|2|Voters in Oregon pass a constitutional amendment that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
49|Utah|11/2/2004|1|Utah voters pass a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and other domestic unions
28|Miss.|11/2/2004|1|Mississippi voters pass a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and recognition of unions performed elsewhere
22|La.|1/19/2005|1|The Louisiana Supreme Court unanimously reinstates an anti-gay marriage amendment to the state constitution overwhelmingly approved by voters the previous year.|High court reinstates amendment banning gay marriage, civil unions and domestic partnerships.
20|Kan.|4/5/2005|1|Kansas voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages and civil unions by more than a 2-1 ratio.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and civil unions
41|Ore.|4/15/2005|4||High court voids 3,000 marriage licenses issued to gay and lesbian couples in 2004
9|Conn.|4/20/2005|9|Connecticut legalizes civil unions for same-sex couples, affording them many of the rights and privileges of married couples. The law also defines marriage as between a man and a woman.|Civil unions legalized. Marriage defined as between a man and a woman.
6|Calif.|6/29/2005|7|The California Supreme Court declines to hear a challenge to the state's sweeping domestic partners benefits law.|High court turns down challenge to domestic partnership law
6|Calif.|8/22/2005|7|The California Supreme Court becomes the first in the nation to grant full parenting rights and obligations to gays and lesbians who have children together.|High court grants parenting rights and obligations to gay couples
6|Calif.|9/29/2005|7|Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes a same-sex marriage bill after it passed the Senate and Assembly. The state's domestic partnership laws are not affected.|Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes bill allowing gay marriage
2|Alaska|10/28/2005|2|The Alaska Supreme Court rules that it is unconstitutional to bar benefits for the same-sex partners of public employees.|High court rules public agencies must extend benefits to same-sex partners. Constitutional ban on gay marriage remains.
48|Texas|11/8/2005|1|More than 75% of Texas voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage and denying recognition of gay marriages performed elsewhere.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and prohibit recognition of such unions performed elsewhere
1|Ala.|6/6/2006|2||Voters approve a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage
36|N.Y.|7/6/2006|4|New York's highest court ruled that its state constitution did not grant same-sex couples the right to wed.|High court rules state constitution does not grant gay marriage rights
34|N.J.|10/25/2006|5|New Jersey's highest court rules that the state's Constitution guaranteed same-sex couples the same benefits enjoyed by married couples. The legislature has 180 days to legalize same-sex marriage or civil unions.|High court rules state constitution guarantees gay marriage rights
4|Ariz.|11/7/2006|4|Arizona voters defeat a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. Existing law already prohibits same sex unions.|Voters defeat amendment to ban gay marriage. Law already bans such unions
8|Colo.|11/7/2006|1|Colorado voters approve a ban on same-sex marriage and defeat a measure to permit domestic partnerships.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and defeat measure to allow domestic partnerships
16|Idaho|11/7/2006|2|More than 60% of Idaho voters approve a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
45|S.C.|11/7/2006|2|More than 75% of South Carolina voters approve a constitutional ban on gay marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
46|S.D.|11/7/2006|2|Voters in South Dakota pass a constitutional amendment to limit marriage as a union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
47|Tenn.|11/7/2006|2|More than 80% of Tennessee voters approve a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
51|Va.|11/7/2006|1|Virginia voters amend the constitution to limit marriage to union between a man and a woman. Amendment also forbids giving marriage-like status to unmarried couples.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage and prohibit unmarried couples from entering into any marriage-like unions.
55|Wis.|11/7/2006|2|Wisconsin voters amend the constitution to limit marriage to union between a man and a woman.|Voters amend constitution to ban gay marriage
34|N.J.|12/21/2006|9|New Jersey Governor signs civil union bill|Civil union bill signed
34|N.J.|2/19/2007|9|New Jersey becomes the third state to offer civil unions.|Civil unions begin
44|R.I.|2/21/2007|5|Rhode Island's attorney general rules the state will recognized gay marriages legally performed in Massachusetts.|Attorney General writes that state will recognize gay marriages performed in Massachusetts
53|Wash.|4/21/2007|6|Washington's governor signs into law a measure to create domestic partnerships.|Law creates domestic partnerships
41|Ore.|5/9/2007|7|Oregon grants gays and lesbians most of the benefits of marriage through domestic partnerships and outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation.|Domestic partnerships are granted, extending most marriage benefits
33|N.H.|5/31/2007|9|New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signs a law establishing same-sex civil unions - granting couples the same rights as married people without calling the union a marriage. The law went into effect January 1, 2008|Civil union law signed
19|Iowa|8/30/2007|10|A Polk County judge in Iowa strikes down the state's decade-old gay marriage ban as unconstitutional.   The same day the first license for a same sex couple is issued.|Judges strikes down gay marriage ban
19|Iowa|9/1/2007|4|A day after a judge in Polk County ruled that Iowa's ban on gay marriage was unconstitutional, the same judge enacts a stay on his own ruling. By then, one gay couple already had married in the state.|Judge stays decision to strike down gay marriage ban. One gay couple has married in the state.
24|Md.|9/18/2007|4|Maryland's highest court upholds a 34-year-old state law banning same-sex marriage.|High court upholds law banning gay marriage
6|Calif.|10/12/2007|7|Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes another bill approved by state lawmakers that would legalize gay marriage. The state's domestic partnership laws are not affected.|Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes bill allowing gay marriage
44|R.I.|12/7/2007|5|The Supreme Court, in a 3-2 decision, rules that a lesbian couple who had married in Massachusetts could not be divorced in Rhode Island because the state defines marriage as the union between a man and a woman. The state's attorney general had issued a legal opinion in 2007 that Massachusetts' same-sex marriages would be recognized, but conceded that his opinion did not have the force of law.|The state Supreme Court rules 3-2 that a lesbian couple who were legally married in Massachusetts may not divorce in Rhode Island because state law defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.
33|N.H.|1/1/2008|9|New Hampshire's law establishing same-sex civil unions goes into effect.|Civil unions begin. Law still restricts marriage to one man and one woman.
6|Calif.|5/15/2008|10|The California Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage.|California Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage.
24|Md.|5/22/2008|7||Governor signs three domestic partnerships bills providing some medical and other financial rights to unmarried couples. In 2007, the state's highest court upheld a 34-year-old law banning gay marriage.
36|N.Y.|5/28/2008|8|New York Gov. David A. Paterson orders state agencies to overhaul regulations to recognize the same-sex unions of New York residents performed and sanctioned elsewhere.|State agencies must recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere
6|Calif.|6/16/2008|10|Gay marriages begin|Gay marriages begin in California. Domestic partnership are still offered.
9|Conn.|10/10/2008|10|The Connecticut Supreme Court gives gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.|High court rules gay couples can marry
6|Calif.|11/4/2008|7|California voters pass Proposition 8, reinstating statewide ban on gay marriage. The state's strong domestic partnership laws remain in place.|Voters pass Prop. 8, amending constitution to ban gay marriage. Domestic partnerships remain.
4|Ariz.|11/4/2008|2||Voters pass constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
12|Fla.|11/4/2008|1|The amendment states: "Inasmuch as marriage is the legal union of only one man and one woman as husband and wife, no other legal union that is treated as marriage or the substantial equivalent thereof shall be valid or recognized."|Voters pass constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and other legal unions that give same-sex couples marriage-like benefits.
56|Wyo.|2/6/2009|5||Legislators defeat attempt to ban gay marriage in state Constitution. Law recognizes heterosexual marriage but requires the state to recognize marriages performed elsewhere, though none have been.
6|Calif.|3/5/2009|7|The California Supreme Court strongly indicates it will rule that Proposition 8 validly abolished the right for gays to marry but will allow same-sex couples who wed before the November election to remain legally married.|High courts signals it will not overturn ban on gay marriage but will allow existing marriages to stand
19|Iowa|4/3/2009|10|The Iowa Supreme Court, citing California's historic marriage decision, overturns a ban on same-sex marriage.|High court overturns ban on gay marriage. Gay marriages begin later in the month.
50|Vt.|4/7/2009|10|Vermont becomes fourth state to legalize gay marriage|Gay marriage is legalized
8|Colo.|4/8/2009|2|Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signs the Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act which extends inheritance, hospital visitation and other rights to gay couples. The law is scheduled to take effect July 1, 2009. In 2006, voters in the state passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.|Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act is signed by governor. When it takes effect July 1, 2009, gay couples will have access to some inheritance, hospital visitation and other rights. In 2006, voters in the state passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
11|D.C.|5/5/2009|8|City officials in Washington, D.C. vote 12 to 1 to recognize same-sex marriages from states that approve them, considered a step to performing such unions there. Congress 30 days to review the law.|City officials vote to recognize out-of-state gay marriages
23|Maine|5/6/2009|10|Maine becomes the fifth state to legalize gay marriage, which is scheduled to take effect in mid-September. Opponents of same-sex marriage begin to gather signatures for a so-called People's Veto, an election that could be held in November.|Gay marriage is legalized. Law takes effect in September.
53|Wash.|5/18/2009|6|Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire signs legislation expanding the rights granted to same-sex domestic partners, dubbed the “everything but marriage” bill. It is scheduled to take effect on July 25, and expands previous domestic partnership laws to include issues like adoption, child support, pensions and other public-employee benefits. Opponents are seeking to overturn the law at the ballot box, and the law would be suspended if they can gather 120,577 signatures by July 26. If collected, the law would be put to the voters in November.|Governor signs domestic partnership bill that greatly extends benefits. The law is scheduled to take effect July 26 but opponents are seeking to overturn the law at the ballot box in November.
6|Calif.|5/26/2009|7||Court upholds constitutional amendment banning gay marriage but rules the estimated 18,000 same-sex marriages that took place in 2008 remain valid. Domestic partnerships still offered.
32|Nev.|5/31/2009|2|Domestic partnerships legal in Nevada legislators override Gov. Jim Gibbons' veto of a domestic partnership law that grants rights to gay and straight couples. The contract essentially gives unmarried couples the same rights and responsibilities as married couples.  It is scheduled to go into effect Oct. 1, 2009.|Domestic partnership law is set to take effect Oct. 1 after legislators override the governor's veto.
33|N.H.|6/3/2009|9|Gov. John Lynch signs bill making New Hampshire 6th state to offer gay marriage.|Gov. John Lynch signs bill making New Hampshire 6th state to offer gay marriage. Law takes effect January 1, 2010.
8|Colo.|7/1/2009|2|The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act which extends inheritance, hospital visitation and other rights to gay couples takes effect.|The Designated Beneficiary Agreement Act which allows gay couples access to some inheritance, hospital visitation and other rights goes into effect. In 2006, voters in the state passed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
25|Mass.|7/8/2009|10||Massachusetts challenges the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Boston, says that same-sex couples who have married in Massachusetts since the state began performing gay marriages in 2004 are being unfairly denied federal benefits given to heterosexual couples. In 2004 gay marriage became legal.
53|Wash.|7/25/2009|6||Implementation of the 2009 domestic partnership bill, which was scheduled to take effect July 26, has been put on hold.
55|Wis.|8/3/2009|6||Wisconsin's domestic partnership law takes effect. The law provides same sex couples who register as domestic partners with certain limited legal protections.
53|Wash.|9/2/2009|6||Referendum 71 is certified for the November ballot. The referendum will ask voters to approve or reject the recent bill expanding benefits for domestic partners.
32|Nev.|10/1/2009|7||The domestic partnership law that grants unmarried couples the same rights and responsibilities as married couples goes into effect.
6|Calif.|10/14/2009|7||A federal judge rules that the state's voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage raised legal and factual issues that required a trial, refusing to dismiss a constitutional challenge to Proposition 8.
23|Maine|11/3/2009|6||Voters in Maine repeal the law that allows same-sex couples to marry. Although the law was passed by the Legislature in May, it did not go into effect as scheduled in mid-September because of opponents' petition drive to place a measure repealing it on the November ballot. Maine's domestic partnership law remains in effect.
53|Wash.|11/3/2009|7||Washington state voters approve Referendum 71 by 52%. The referendum asked voters to reconfirm the legislature's recent expansion of domestic partnership rights.
36|N.Y.|12/2/2009|8||New York state senators reject legislation that would have allowed gay couples to marry.  The measure, which had already passed the Assembly, was defeated in a 24 to 38 vote.
33|N.H.|1/1/2010|10||Law allowing same-sex marriage goes into effect.
11|D.C.|3/9/2010|10||The District of Columbia joins Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont as the sixth place in the nation to allow gay marriage.
15|Hawaii|4/29/2010|6||Hawaii's House of Representatives approve a measure allowing same-sex civil unions. In January the Senate passed the measure. Gov. Linda Lingle has not said if she will sign the bill into law.
6|Calif.|6/16/2010|7||Attorneys present closing arguments for and against California's ban on same-sex marriage. Judge grills them for hours on the substantial sexual, social, legal and historical issues intrinsic to the case.
55|Wis.|6/30/2010|2||The Wisconsin Supreme Court upheld the state's constitutional ban on gay marriage and civil unions.
15|Hawaii|7/6/2010|4||Governor  vetoes legislation that would have permitted same-sex civil unions.
25|Mass.|7/8/2010|10||Federal judge rules gay marriage ban unconstitutional.
6|Calif.|8/4/2010|10||Judge strikes down Prop. 8, allows gay marriage in California
6|Calif.|8/16/2010|10||U.S. 9th Circuit judges decide to hear arguments in December but put marriages on hold for now
6|Calif.|12/6/2010|10||Federal appeals court judges seem headed toward a decision that could reinstate same-sex marriages in California
6|Calif.|1/4/2011|10||A panel of federal appeals court judges seeks input from the California Supreme Court on the right of private groups to defend the ban on gay marriage.
56|Wyo.|1/24/2011|5||Wyoming state representatives pass HB 74 which bans recognition of civil unions and same-sex marriages performed outside the state. The bill now goes to the Senate where its chances for passage are good.
56|Wyo.|1/28/2011|5||The Wyoming House Judiciary Committee defeats House Bill 150, which would have established civil unions.
17|Ill.|1/30/2011|6||Governor signs legislation recognizing civil unions. Law goes into effect June 1.
15|Hawaii|2/23/2011|6||Governor signs bill to allow civil unions. Legislation goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012.
56|Wyo.|3/2/2011|5||The Wyoming Senate votes down House Bill 74.
24|Md.|3/11/2011|7||Maryland will not join the ranks of states allowing same-sex marriage, at least not this year.
6|Calif.|3/23/2011|10||Gay marriage won't be allowed to resume until state and federal appeals courts decide the fate of Proposition 8, three federal judges rule.
10|Del.|4/14/2011|4||Delaware's House of Representatives pass legislation allowing same-sex civil unions.
10|Del.|5/12/2011|4||Gov. Jack Markell signs bill allowing civil unions.  Legislation goes into effect Jan. 1, 2012.
17|Ill.|6/1/2011|9||The law allowing civil unions goes into effect.
36|N.Y.|6/24/2011|8||Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs legislation permitting same-sex marriage. The law goes into effect in 30 days.
44|R.I.|6/29/2011|5||The Rhode Island state Senate passes a bill that legalizes civil unions.
44|R.I.|7/2/2011|9||Gov. Lincoln D. Chafee signs civil union law.
36|N.Y.|7/24/2011|10||New York's law allowing same-sex marriage goes into effect.
6|Calif.|7/28/2011|10||The legal battle over Proposition 8 will go before the California Supreme Court on Sept. 6.
6|Calif.|9/6/2011|10||The California Supreme Court appears ready to rule that the backers of Proposition 8 and other ballot measures have the right to defend them in court.
37|N.C.|9/13/2011|4||Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on statewide ballot in May 2012.
6|Calif.|11/17/2011|10||The California Supreme Court rules that backers of  Proposition 8 and other ballot measures are entitled to defend them in court.
10|Del.|1/1/2012|9||Delaware's law legalizing same-sex civil unions goes into effect.
15|Hawaii|1/1/2012|9||Hawaii's civil union bill goes into effect.
6|Calif.|2/7/2012|10||A federal appeals court strikes down California's ban on same-sex marriage, clearing the way for the U.S. Supreme Court to rule on gay marriage as early as next year.
53|Wash.|2/8/2012|7||Washington's House of Representatives approve a bill legalizing gay marriage. Gov. Chris Gregoire is expected to sign the bill into law next week.
53|Wash.|2/13/2012|7||Gov. Chris Gregoire signs gay marriage bill. The law is scheduled to go into effect June 7.
34|N.J.|2/16/2012|9||New Jersey lawmakers pass legislation to recognize gay marriage.
34|N.J.|2/17/2012|9||Governor vetoes gay marriage bill.
24|Md.|2/23/2012|7||The Maryland state Senate passes legislation to recognize gay marriage.
24|Md.|3/1/2012|7||Gov. Martin O'Malley signs gay marriage bill.
37|N.C.|5/8/2012|1||Voters in N.C. pass constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.
6|Calif.|6/5/2012|10||U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals votes not to review smaller panel's overturning of California's gay marriage ban.
53|Wash.|6/12/2012|7||Referendum 74 will be on the November 2012 ballot.