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President Clinton signs Defense of Marriage Act
Defense of Marriage Act upholds states' rights to ban same-sex marriages and to refuse to recognize such marriages performed elsewhere. -
Voters in Alaska and Hawaii approve state Constitutional amendments to ban gay marriage
Hawaii's vote allows the state legislature to define marriage. -
Vermont approves same-sex civil unions
Vermont approves the creation of same-sex civil unions, thus entitling gay couples to rights and benefits normally available to married couples. -
Nebraska voters move to ban gay marriage
November vote passes initiative by 70%. Nebraska will swing back and forth on this issue for the next decade. -
Massachusetts Supreme Court rules to recognize same-sex marriage
Court rules the state constitution guarantees equal marriage rights for same-sex couples. -
President Bush supports federal amendment banning gay marriage
Bush announces support for federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. -
Massachusetts Legislature votes to return to civil unions
Massachusetts Legislature votes to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage but allow civil unions. -
Voter referendums in 13 states pass banning same-sex marriage
Voters in 13 states - Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah - approve constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage -
Kansas voters move to ban same-sex marriage
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Nebraska federal judge strikes down gay marriage ban
U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon said the ban "imposes significant burdens on both the expressive and intimate associational rights" of gays. -
Nebraska court re-instates same-sex marriage ban
This ban also barred same-sex couples from many legal protections afforded to heterosexual couples: Partners of gays and lesbians who work for the state are not entitled to share their health insurance and other benefits -
Arizona voters oppose amendment banning marriage
Arizona becomes the first state where voters move against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and other benefits for unmarried couples. -
Seven states ban gay marriage
Voters in seven states - Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin - approve constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage. -
Massachusetts Legislature blocks initiative to ban same-sex marriage
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MD Supreme Court rules gays do not have constitutional right to marriage
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California Supreme Court declares gay marriage ban unconstitutional
California Supreme Court rules the existing state same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional. -
Calif. Supreme Court passes gay marriage
California Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, rules that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry. -
Connecticut Supreme Court strikes down ban on same-sex marriage
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California voters pass Proposition 8 banning same-sex marriage
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Iowa Supreme Court rules to allow same-sex marriage
Court rules unanimously that a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman is unconstitutional. -
Vermont legalizes same-sex marriage by legislative vote over governor's veto
Vermont override the governor's veto to make their state the first to legalize same-sex marriage by a legislative vote. -
D.C. Council votes to recognize gay marriages performed in other states
WaPo videoMayor Fenty signs, now pending review by Congress. -
Maine governor signs gay marriage legislation (immediate challenge)
Maine's governor signs gay marriage legislation. Opponents immediately file papers seeking a referendum in which voters could overturn the law.
