Same Sex Marriage Laws Same-Sex Marriage Laws * State Same-Sex Marriage Laws Map ruled that states cannot ban same-sex marriage, thereby requiring all states to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. defining whether marriage is limited to relationships between a man and marriage, 31 states had either constitutional or statutory provisions that explicitly defined marriage as between a man and a woman and just 19 states and the District of Columbia allowed same-sex marriage. Now, at least 37 states and D.C. recognize same-sex marriage. The status of same-sex marriage remains in flux. All states have some of Appeals struck down same-sex marriage bans in Nevada and Idaho. marriage licenses in Kansas. A South Carolina state Supreme Court and marriage bans. On Jan. 6, 2015, the state of Florida will begin allowing same-sex marriage after a district judge ruled the ban Alabama began issuing same-sex marriage licenses after a U.S. district these changes, at least 37 states and D.C. recognize same-sex marriage. marriage. same-sex marriage. On Nov. 6, 2014, a federal appeals court judge in the 6th U.S. Circuit upheld four states' bans on same-sex marriage. The marriage and whether states may refuse to recognize same-sex marriages CAPTION: States that Allowed Same-Sex Marriage Prior to 2015 U.S. State Same-Sex Marriage Laws Prior to 2015 U.S. Supreme Court Ruling: The public national discussion around same-sex marriage first began in clearly define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman and Before 1993, seven states had laws that defined marriage as a raised the possibility that states could recognize same sex marriage, defining marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman, constitutional provision prohibiting same-sex marriage. Nebraska adopted a constitutional provision limiting marriage to relationships constitutional provisions limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples by legalizing marriage for same-sex couples or by establishing an marriage as the "legally recognized union of one man and one woman," barring same-sex couples from civil marriage was unconstitutional. The from civil marriage but would create civil unions as a parallel the state of Massachusetts began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex to redefine marriage to include same-sex couples or to establish a couples the same rights as opposite-sex marriage couples. The New and same-sex marriages were performed in California for a short period amendment that defined marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. It passed in November 2008, again banning same-sex marriage in marriages violated the equal protection provisions of the U.S. allow same-sex marriages to be performed) was delayed until the case reinstated the right to marriage for same-sex couples in California. same-sex marriage was in violation of the equal protection clause in same-sex marriage. In 2009, the Connecticut General Assembly passed a statute allowing same sex marriage and ending civil unions. against same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. Iowa began performing same-sex marriages in June 2009. marriage. Governor Douglas vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden same-sex marriage. in May 2009 allowing same sex marriage. Opponents, however, ballot. Same-sex marriages were delayed, pending the ballot outcome. New Hampshire also passed same-sex marriage legislation in June 2009, bringing the total number of states that allowed same-sex marriage to marriage law, subject to a congressional review period. The law took same-sex marriage. Governor Andrew Cuomo immediately signed the marriages available in New York in late July 2011. establishing same-sex marriage. In June 2012 opponents gathered enough the law and same-sex marriages began on Dec. 6, 2012. The New Jersey Legislature passed a same-sex marriage bill in February October 2013 that the state must recognize same-sex marriage, New same-sex marriage to answer some questions left unanswered in the court Maryland passed a same-sex marriage bill in February 2012 that was same-sex marriage. It is the first time voters had been asked to legalize same-sex marriage rather than prohibit it. The measure went to uphold the same-sex marriage laws marked a watershed. They were the first instances of public votes to establish same-sex marriage. On the of same-sex marriages. Those four votes reversed a long trend of public votes against same sex marriage. Previously, voters in 32 states had consistently voted to limit same-sex marriage. Thirty states had enacted constitutional provisions to define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman and prohibit same-sex marriages. Between 1998 restrictions on same-sex marriage. (In 2006, Arizona voters rejected a constitutional provision prohibiting same-sex marriage and then Legislative actions supporting same sex-marriage continued in 2013. Rhode Island passed same-sex marriage legislation and Governor civil unions to marriage and recognizes civil unions and same sex marriage from other jurisdictions. The law went into effect Aug. 1, Delaware passed same-sex marriage legislation and Governor Markell to marriage and recognizes civil unions and same sex marriage from Minnesota passed a law allowing same-sex marriage in May 2013. The law 8, thus allowing same sex marriage in California. Amid some confusion about timing, same-sex marriages began shortly after the decision. DOMA law that limited over one thousand federal benefits to marriages defining marriage and required the federal government to recognize same-sex marriages granted under state law. Federal agencies are now married in a state that allows same-sex marriage but who now live in a state that does not allow same-sex marriage. had. The federal government did not recognize civil unions as marriages was unlikely to win on appeal. The order to allow same-sex marriages drop its appeal, making same sex marriages legal in New Jersey. same-sex marriage legislation. The Senate passed the initial bill on marriage or celebration of the marriage if it violates their religious Quinn signed the legislation on Nov. 20. Same-sex marriages were set or allowing same-sex marriage. Some county officials had issued marriage licenses to same-sex couples in previous years. After the U.S. + Same Sex Marriage