12 States with Legal Gay Marriage and 36 States with Same-Sex Marriage Bans
12
States Have Legal Same-Sex Marriage
3
by State Supreme Court Decision
Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008), Iowa (Apr. 24, 2009), Massachusetts (May 17, 2004)
6
by State Legislature Delaware (May 7, 2013), Minnesota (May 14, 2013), New Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010), New York (July 24, 2011), Rhode Island (May 2, 2013), Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009)
3
by Popular Vote Maine (Nov. 6, 2012), Maryland (Nov. 6, 2012), Washington (Nov. 6, 2012)
*DC legalized same-sex marriage on Mar. 10, 2012.
36
States Ban Same-Sex Marriage
27
by Constitutional Amendment and State Law Alabama (2006, 1998), Alaska (1998, 1996), Arizona (2008, 1996), Arkansas (2004, 1997), Colorado (2006, 2000), Florida (2008, 1997), Georgia (2004, 1996), Hawaii (1998, 1994), Idaho (2006, 1996), Kansas (2005, 1996), Kentucky (2004, 1998), Louisiana (2004, 1999), Michigan (2004, 1996), Mississippi (2004, 1997), Missouri (2004, 1996), Montana (2004, 1997), North Carolina (2012, 1995), North Dakota (2004, 1997), Ohio (2004, 2004), Oklahoma (2004, 1996), South Carolina (2006, 1996), South Dakota (2006, 1996), Tennessee (2006, 1996), Texas (2005, 1997), Utah (2004, 1997), Virginia (2006, 1997), Wisconsin (2006, 1979)
4
by Constitutional Amendment only California (2008), Nebraska (2000), Nevada (2002), Oregon (2004)
5
by State Law only Illinois (1996), Indiana (1997), Pennsylvania (1996), West Virginia (2000), Wyoming (2003)
*California legalized same-sex marriage in 2008 with the May 15, 2008 In re Marriage Cases Supreme Court of California ruling. However, on Nov. 5, 2008, Proposition 8 was passed by voters, amending the California Constitution and banning same-sex marriage. Prop. 8 has since been challenged in state courts and currently awaits a hearing petition response from the US Supreme Court.
2
States Have No Laws Banning or Legalizing Same-Sex Marriage New Jersey, New Mexico
Note: The dates above reference when the law took effect and not necessarily when the laws were passed.
Timeline of Same-Sex Marriage Bans and Legalizations by Effective Date of Laws
Sources:
1. David Bailey, "Minnesota Governor Signs Bill Legalizing Gay Marriage," Reuters, May 14, 2013
2. Doug Denison, "Gay Marriage in Delaware to Become Legal July 1," www.delawareonline.com, May 7, 2013
3. Erik Eckholm, "Same-Sex Marriage Gains Cheer Gay Rights Advocates," www.nytimes.com, Nov. 7, 2012
4. Andrew M. Francis, Hugo M. Mialon, and Handoe Peng, "In Sickness and in Health: Same Sex Marriage Laws and Sexually Transmitted Infections, Appendix: Legal References and Notes," Emory Law and Economics Research Paper No 11-97, www.emory.edu (accessed Aug. 10, 2012)
5. Human Rights Campaign, "Marriage Center," www.hrc.org (accessed Aug. 10, 2012)
