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President Clinton signs Defense of Marriage Act
President Bill Clinton signs act banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage and defining marriage as “a legal union between one man and one woman as husband and wife.” -
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Same-Sex Marriage, 1996-2013
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President Bush supports banning same-sex marriage
"Same-sex Marriage: The President; Bush backs ban in constitution on gay marriage," NYTimes, Feb. 25, 2004 President George W. Bush announces support for a federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. -
Mass. legalizes same-sex marriage
"First legal same-sex marriage performed in Massachuetts," History.com, May 17, 2004Massachusetts legalizes same-sex marriage, the first state in the U.S. to do so. -
U.S. constitutional amendment blocked
The U.S. Senate blocks a proposed Constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage from moving forward in Congress. (48 votes out of 60 needed) -
Calif. Supreme Ct. orders S.F. to stop same-sex marriages
The California Supreme Court orders San Francisco officials, including Mayor Gavin Newsom, not to license additional same-sex marriages, pending resolution of the constitutional challenges to state marriage statutes -
U.S. House of Reps votes against constitutional amendment
The U.S. House of Representatives votes against amending the Constitution to prohibit same-sex marriage. -
Eleven states pass constitutional amendments defining marriage as man/woman
"Eleven States Votes to Ban Same-Sex Marriage," NPR, Nov. 3, 2004 (Audio)Eleven states pass constitutional amendments defining marriage as being between a man and a woman only: Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon and Utah. -
Calif. Superior Ct. judge rules man/woman definition is unconstitutional
A Superior Court judge rules that California’s law that limits marriage to a union between a man and a woman is unconstitutional. -
Mass. legislature rejects constitutional amendment
The Massachusetts Legislature rejects a proposed amendment to its state constitution to ban same-sex marriages. -
Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger vetoes same-sex marriage bill
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoes the same-sex marriage bill. -
Calif. Supreme Ct. rules same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional
"California Supreme Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban," The New York Times, May 16, 2008The California Supreme Court rules that the state’s ban on same-sex marriages is unconstitutional. The decision goes into effect on June 16th at 5:01 p.m. -
Calif. voters approve Prop 8, amending consitution to ban same-sex marriage
"California Votes for Prop 8," The Wall Street Journal, Nov. 5, 2008 (Story, Video)Voters in California approve Proposition 8, which will amend the state’s constitution to ban same-sex marriage. Voters in Arizona and Florida also approve similar amendments to their state constitutions. -
9th Circuit U.S. Ct. of Appeals denies request to review Calif. Prop 8
The 9th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco denies a request to review an earlier court decision stating that California's Proposition 8 violates the Constitution. A stay on same-sex marriages in California remains in place until the issue is exhausted in the courts. -
2d Circuit Ct. of Appeals rules DOMA violates violates equal protection clause in U.S. constitution
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rules that the Defense of Marriage Act, (DOMA), violates the Constitution's equal protection clause, deciding in favor of widow Edith Windsor, an 83-year-old lesbian who sued the federal government for charging her more than $363,000 in estate taxes after being denied the benefit of spousal deductions. -
Md., Wash., Maine voters pass referendums legalizing same-sex marriage
"Maryland, Maine, Washington approve same-sex marriage; 2 states legalize pot," CNN.com, Nov. 7, 2012 (Story, Video)"Maryland, Maine, Washington approve same-sex marriage; 2 states legalize post," CNN.com, Nov. 7, 2012Voters in Maryland, Washington and Maine pass referendums legalizing same-sex marriage. This is the first time same-sex marriage has been approved by a popular vote in the United States. Voters in Minnesota reject a ban on the issue. -
U.S. Supreme Ct says it will hear two constitutional challenges
The U.S. Supreme Court announces it will hear two constitutional challenges to state and federal laws dealing with the recognition of gay and lesbian couples to legally wed. Oral arguments in the appeal are held in March 2013, with a ruling expected by late June. -
U.S. Supreme Ct. rejects parts of DOMA, 5-4
"Supreme Court DOMA Decision Rules Federal Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional," an explanation, Huffington Post, June 26, 2013 (Story, Video)The Supreme Court rejects parts of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in a 5-4 decision, dismissing an appeal over same-sex marriage on jurisdictional grounds and ruling same-sex spouses legally married in a state may receive federal benefits. It also rules that private parties do not have “standing” to defend California’s voter-approved ballot measure barring gay and lesbians couples from state-sanctioned wedlock. The ruling clears the way for same-sex marriages in California to resume. -
R.I., Minn. legalize same-sex marriage
Laws in Rhode Island and Minnesota to legalize same sex marriage go into effect at midnight.
