Gay Marriage Timeline
0 General Document comments
0 Sentence and Paragraph comments
0 Image and Video comments
May 18, 1970 - Same-Sex Couple Applies for Marriage License
Richard John "Jack" Baker and James Michael McConnell applying for a marriage licence in Minneapolis.
Source: minnesota.publicradio.org, Oct. 25, 2012
Baker and McConnell sued Nelson, claiming Minnesota law on marriage made no mention of gender. The trial court was not impressed with the argument, agreeing with Nelson. The state Supreme Court agreed with the lower court. When Baker-McConnell went to the U.S. Supreme Court, the couple was rebuffed again...
Baker v. Nelson has been used in other states as precedent to block efforts at marriage equality."
MinnPost, "Minnesota's Gay Community Purposely Moving Slowly on Gay Marriage Efforts," minnpost.com, Nov. 24, 2008
[Editor's Note: In 1971, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled in one of the Baker-McConnell lawsuits that "the institution of marriage as a union of man and woman uniquely involving the procreating and rearing of children within the family is as old as the book of Genesis."]
1973 - Maryland Bans Same-Sex Marriage
"Maryland becomes the first state to pass a statute banning marriage between same-sex couples when it includes in its Family Law Code a line reading, 'Only a marriage between a man and a woman is valid in this State.'"Freedom to Marry, "History and Timeline of the Freedom to Marry in the United States," freedomtomarry.org, Sep. 26, 2012
Nov. 21, 1976 - Non-Church Sanctioned Gay Wedding Makes News
"Back on Nov. 21, 1976, in Northwest Washington, [Wayne] Schwandt and [John] Fortunato walked down the aisle side by side, wearing matching embroidered tunics...Reporters wrote about what Fortunato and Schwandt called a holy union, which was controversial not because there was talk of legalizing gay marriage but because the two men publicly ask for -- and were denied -- the blessing of the Episcopal Church."
Washington Post 
"Inventing a Marriage -- and a Divorce, Gay Pair Who Wed in '70s Recall Journey Uncharted by Law," washingtonpost.com, Apr. 5, 2004
1983 - 'Spousal' Rights of Same-Sex Couples Becomes an Issue
"Karen Thompson's eight year struggle for legal guardianship of her lover Sharon Kowalski, begins when a drunk driver collides with Sharon's vehicle, placing her in a coma for several months and leaving her quadriplegic and severely brain-damaged. Despite Sharon's wishes to be cared for by Karen, Sharon's parents refused Karen full access or input into her care. Karen Thompson became a key spokesperson for lesbian and gay couples' rights. Karen's case was won in 1991."
Gay/Lesbian International News Network (GLINN), "GLINN's Timeline of Gay and Lesbian Family Issues," www.glinn.com/news (accessed Oct. 23, 2008)
1984 - Nation's First Domestic Partnership Law Passed
"It took five years of lobbying by a stalwart city employee before the city of Berkeley [CA] enacted the nation's first domestic partnership ordinance in 1984. At the outset only city employees could register, and the program offered only dental insurance coverage and leave benefits to city employees, but within a year Berkeley began including medical insurance benefits as well."Frederick Hertz, Making It Legal: A Guide to Same-Sex Marriage, Domestic Partnerships & Civil Unions, 2011
Oct. 10, 1987 - First Mass Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
Joy Wasson and Liz Throop during the Second National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, where a mass same-sex wedding was held.
Source: msnbc.com, Apr. 14, 2013
But this was no ordinary wedding. And these were not typical brides and grooms. This wedding held special significance for its participants. Beyond the 'mass' nature of the celebration, something else was unique. The newlyweds that fall Saturday paired off as brides and brides, grooms and grooms. 'The Wedding,' as it came to be known, marked the symbolic beginning of nearly 2,000 same-sex marriages."
Salon.com, "The Secret History of Gay Marriage," salon.com, Sep. 8, 2013
July 1989 - Court Rulings Define Same-Sex Couples as Families
"The New York State Court of Appeals declares that a lesbian or gay couple living together for a least ten years can be considered a family for purposes of rent control protection, the first time a state's highest court rules that a gay couple can be called a family...
The California Bar Association urges that lesbian and gay marriage be legally recognized and in Seattle, San Francisco and other cities, 'partners' regulations extending certain protections and rights to unmarried couples, straight and gay, are adopted."
Gay/Lesbian International News Network (GLINN), "GLINN's Timeline of Gay and Lesbian Family Issues," www.glinn.com/news (accessed Oct. 23, 2008)
1992 - Same-Sex Employees Begin to Receive Domestic Partner Benefits
"Domestic partners of employees of Levi Strauss & Co. are granted full medical benefits."
"The province of Ontario, Canada, extends spousal benefits to same sex partners of government workers."
"William Weld, governor of Massachusetts signs an executive order granting lesbian and gay state workers the same bereavement and family leave rights as heterosexual workers."
Gay/Lesbian International News Network (GLINN), "GLINN's Timeline of Gay and Lesbian Family Issues," www.glinn.com/news (accessed Oct. 23, 2008)
May 1993 - Hawaii Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Marriages
"Hawaii Supreme Court rules the state cannot deny same-sex couples the right to marry unless it finds 'a compelling reason' to do so, and orders the issue back to the state legislature. Hawaii lawmakers pass amendment banning gay marriages."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Interactive Same-Sex Marriage Timeline," cnn.com, Feb. 2004
Mar. 1995 - Utah Governor Signs 'Defense of Marriage' Statute into Law
"Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt (R) signs into law the first state Defense of Marriage statute, which stipulates that Utah does not have to recognize out-of-state marriages that violate state public policy."
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "Gay Marriage Timeline," pewforum.org, Apr. 1, 2008
Sep. 21, 1996 - Clinton Signs Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)
President Bill Clinton.
Source: biography.com (accessed Sep. 16, 2013)
Cable News Network (CNN) "Interactive Same-Sex Marriage Timeline," cnn.com, Feb. 2004
May 1997 - Hawaii Becomes the First State to Offer Domestic Partnership Benefits to Same-Sex Couples
"Hawaii becomes the first state to mandate statewide domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples. Called 'Reciprocal Beneficiaries,' these benefits cover less than 60 items (the law seems to be ambiguous on the exact number) and are offered only through certain businesses, some of which complained that the state has no business dictating employee policies. The Hawaii attorney general declared that she would not enforce the requirement for private employers to offer benefits."
National Conference of State Legislatures, "Civil Unions & Domestic Partnership Statutes," ncsl.org, Mar. 28, 2008
Feb. 1998 - Alaska Superior Court Rules on Same-Sex Couples' Right to Marry
"Alaska Superior Court judge rules that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry but stays the decision pending appeals to the state Supreme Court."
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "Gay Marriage Timeline," pewforum.org, Apr. 1, 2008
Nov. 3, 1998 - Hawaii Voters Approve Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
"Just as Hawaii's high court seemed poised to allow same-sex marriages, gay activists have seen their visions of legal weddings on the beaches of Maui disappear as voters approved Constitutional Amendment 2, giving the legislature power to 'reserve marriage to opposite-sex couples.'"
Cable News Network (CNN) "Hawaii Gives Legislature Power to Ban Same-Sex Marriage," cnn.com, Nov. 3, 1998
Nov. 3, 1998 - Alaska Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment Limiting Marriage
"Voters in Alaska overwhelmingly approved a same-sex marriage ballot initiative Tuesday. Alaska's measure goes one step beyond Hawaii's measure, by amending the constitution to limit marriage to 'exist only between one man and one woman.'"
Cable News Network (CNN) "Hawaii Gives Legislature Power to Ban Same-Sex Marriage," cnn.com, Nov. 3, 1998
Dec. 20, 1999 - Vermont Supreme Court Rules on Same-Sex Couples Benefits and Protections
"We hold that the state is constitutionally required to extend to same-sex couples the common benefits and protections that flow from marriage under Vermont law...Whether this ultimately takes the form of inclusion within the marriage laws themselves or a parallel 'domestic partnership' system or some equivalent statutory alternative, rests with the Legislature...
Whatever system is chosen, however, must conform with the constitutional imperative to afford all Vermonters the common benefit, protection, and security of the law..."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Vermont's Top Court Backs Rights for Same-Sex Couples," cnn.com, Dec. 21, 1999
Mar. 30, 2000 - US Rabbis Approve Gay Partnership
Rabbi Charles Kroloff.
Source: thecitizenscampaign.org (accessed Sep. 16, 2013)
The Central Conference of American Rabbis, which is part of the Jewish Reform movement, has agreed to sanction religious ceremonies for same-sex couples.
The President of the Conference, Rabbi Charles Kroloff, said that gay and lesbian people deserved the recognition and respect due to people created in the image of God."
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "US Rabbis Approve Gay Partnership," bbc.co.uk, Mar. 30, 2000
Apr. 26, 2000 - Vermont Civil Union Bill Becomes Law
"Vermont’s governor signed landmark legislation yesterday making the state the first in the country to grant the full benefits of marriage to same-sex couples."
Democracy Now!, "Vermont Civil Union Bill Becomes Law," democracynow.org, Apr. 27, 2000
Nov. 2000 - Nebraska Voters Approve Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
"Nebraska voters approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage."
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "Gay Marriage Timeline," pewforum.org, Apr. 1, 2008
Apr. 1, 2001 - Netherlands Becomes World's First Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
Helene Faasen and Anne-Marie Thus take part in the world's first legal gay marriage ceremony.
Source: Associated Press, Apr. 23, 2013
Holland, long among the gay rights vanguard, enacted a bill last year converting the countries registered same-sex partnerships into full-fledged marriages.
Same-sex couples now have the same legal status as heterosexuals. They can divorce legally, claim pensions and other benefits, and adopt Dutch children. The couples are barred from adopting children overseas because of potential objections from countries that do not accept gay marriages.
Under the new legislation, all references to gender in laws governing matrimony and adoption will be deleted in favor of the neutral-gender term, partner."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Same-Sex Marriage Legalized in Amsterdam," cnn.com, Apr. 1, 2001
Nov. 2002 - Nevada Voters Approve Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
"Nevada voters give final approval to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Voters first approved the ban in 2000, but state law requires a majority vote in two consecutive election years to amend the constitution."
Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, "Gay Marriage Timeline," pewforum.org, Apr. 1, 2008
Feb. 13, 2003 - Belgium Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
"Belgium became the second country to legalize equal marriage on February 13, 2003 [the law took effect June 1, 2003], when King Albert II approved the bill, which had previously been passed by the Senate and Chamber of Representatives. Without fanfare, 91 of the 122 deputies in the Belgian Parliament voted for the change, which stipulates that only couples from countries with the freedom to marry can be married under Belgian law. Initially, gay and lesbian couples were not allowed to adopt children under the original legislation, but Parliament passed co-parenting for same-sex couples in 2006."
Freedom to Marry, "International Progress Toward the Freedom to Marry," freedomtomarry.org (accessed Sep. 16, 2013)
May 21, 2003 - Federal Constitutional Marriage Amendment Introduced
Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO 4th) introduces a proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States (Bill #H.J. Res. 56), which declares: "Marriage in the United States shall consist only of the union of a man and a woman. Neither this Constitution or the constitution of any State, nor state or federal law, shall be construed to require that marital status or the legal incidents thereof be conferred upon unmarried couples or groups."
May 2003, US Library of Congress 
Federal Marriage Amendment - H.J. Res 56 
(22.6KB)
June 10, 2003 - Ontario, Canada Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
"The highest court in Canada's largest province, Ontario, has ruled that gay and lesbian couples have the right to marry there. The ruling upholds a lower court decision and challenges the Canadian Government to change its laws on same-sex marriage. The appeals court ordered that gay couples seeking a legal union should be issued a marriage license immediately."
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "Ontario Legalises Gay Marriage," bbc.co.uk, June 11, 2003
June 26, 2003 - US Supreme Court Strikes Down Sodomy Laws
"U.S. Supreme Court [in a 6-3 decision] strikes down Texas sodomy state law banning private consensual sex between adults of the same sex. The court found that law and others like it violated the due process clause of the 14th Amendment. But legal analysts said the ruling enshrines for the first time a broad constitutional right to sexual privacy."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Supreme Court Strikes Down Texas Sodomy Law," cnn.com, Nov. 18, 2003
July 8, 2003 - British Columbia Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
"Two men exchanged their vows at the Vancouver Law Courts Tuesday, less than an hour after the B.C. Court of Appeal officially changed the legal definition of marriage."
Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) "Same-Sex Marriage in Canada," cbsnews.com (accessed Oct. 27, 2008)
July 31, 2003 - Vatican Begins Campaign Against Same-Sex Marriage
"The Vatican has launched a global campaign against gay marriages, warning Catholic politicians that support of same-sex unions is 'gravely immoral.' The Vatican issued a 12-page set of guidelines with the approval of Pope John Paul II in a bid to stem the increase in laws granting legal rights to homosexual unions in Europe and North America.'Marriage exists solely between a man and woman... Marriage is holy, while homosexual acts go against the natural moral law,' the 12-page document by the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said Thursday [July 31, 2003]."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Vatican Fights Gay Marriages," cnn.com, July 31, 2003
Aug. 1, 2003 - Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Unions Gathers Sponsors
"Before the ruling [Supreme Court ruling that laws making gay sex a crime were unconstitutional], supporters in the House [US House of Representatives] of a constitutional amendment that would more formally restrict marriage to the union of a man and a woman were having trouble attracting sponsors. After the ruling, the number of co-sponsors has nearly quadrupled to 75."
Los Angeles Times Elizabeth Shogren, "Foes of Gay Marriage Find New Momentum," latimes.com, Aug. 1, 2003
Aug. 18, 2003 - Poll Shows Majority of Americans Opposed to Same-Sex Marriage
"More than half of Americans favor a law barring gay marriage and specifying wedlock be between a man and a woman, an Associated Press poll found. The survey also found presidential candidates could face a backlash if they support gay marriage or civil unions..."
Associated Press (AP) "Many Favor Law Barring Gay Marriage," ap.org, Aug. 18, 2003
Sep. 19, 2003 - California Passes Domestic Partnership Law
"On Friday, September 19, 2003, Governor Davis signed AB 205, The Domestic Partner Rights and Responsibilities Act of 2003, at the LGBT [Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender] Center in San Francisco. This historic legislation, authored by Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles) and sponsored by EQCA [Equality California], provides domestic partners with almost all of the same rights and responsibilities as spouses in a civil marriage."
The Williams Institute, "Issues: Economics of Same-Sex Marriage - California," williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu (accessed Oct. 27, 2008)
Oct. 28, 2003 - US President Bush Announces He Wants Marriage Reserved for Heterosexuals
President George W. Bush.
Source: biography.com (accessed Sep. 16, 2013)
I believe marriage is between a man and a woman, and I think we ought to codify that one way or another,' Bush told reporters at a White House news conference.
'And we've got lawyers looking at the best way to do that...'"
Cable News Network (CNN) "Bush Wants Marriage Reserved for Heterosexuals," cnn.com, Oct. 28, 2003
Nov. 18, 2003 - State Supreme Court Decision Makes Massachusetts First US State to Legalize Gay Marriage
The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts in a 4-3 ruling held that "barring an individual from the protections, benefits, and obligations of civil marriage solely because that person would marry a person of the same sex violates the Massachusetts Constitution...
'Marriage is a vital social institution,' wrote Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall for the majority Justices. 'The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society...'"
Hillary Goodridge & others vs. Department of Public Health & another, SJC-08860 (105KB), Nov. 18, 2003
Feb. 12, 2004 - City of San Francisco Begins Marrying Same-Sex Couples
"In an open challenge to California law, city authorities performed at least 15 same-sex weddings Thursday [Feb. 12, 2004] and issued about a dozen more marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples."
Cable News Network (CNN) "San Francisco Weds Gay Couples," cnn.com, Feb. 12, 2004
Feb. 20, 2004 - New Mexico County Begins Issuing Marriage Licenses to Same-Sex Couples
"A county clerk issued marriage licenses Friday to at least 15 gay couples, some of whom then exchanged vows outside the courthouse, as more same-sex couples lined up for a chance to tie the knot......New Mexico law defines marriage as a contract between contracting parties but does not mention gender."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Gay Couples Marry in New Mexico," cnn.com, Feb. 20, 2004
Feb. 20, 2004 - Cambodian King Backs Gay Marriage
"The king said that as a 'liberal democracy', Cambodia should allow 'marriage between man and man... or between woman and woman.' He said he had respect for homosexual and lesbians and said they were as they were because God loved a 'wide range of tastes.'"
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "Cambodian King Backs Gay Marriage," bbc.co.uk, Feb. 20.
2004
Feb. 24, 2004 - President Bush Announces Support for Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage
"President Bush backed a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage Tuesday [Feb. 24, 2004], saying he wants to stop activist judges from changing the definition of the 'most enduring human institution.' Marriage cannot be severed from its cultural and moral roots, Bush said, urging Congress to approve such an amendment.'After more than two centuries of American jurisprudence and millennia of human experience, a few judges and local authorities are presuming to change the most fundamental institution of civilization,' the president said. 'Their action has created confusion on an issue that requires clarity.'"
Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) "The Bush Presidency," cbsnews.com, Feb. 24, 2004
Feb. 27, 2004 - New York Town of New Paltz Begins Marrying Same-Sex Couples
Maj.
Jeffrey McGowan and Billiam van Roestenberg taking marriage vows in New Paltz, NY on Feb. 27, 2004.
Source: Associated Press, Feb. 28, 2004
Cable News Network (CNN) Jonathan Wald, "New York Town's Mayor Marries Same-Sex Couples," cnn.com, Feb. 28, 2004
Mar. 3, 2004 - Gays Wed in Portland, Oregon
"County officials began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in Portland [Oregon] Wednesday [Mar. 3, 2004], joining the rapidly spreading national movement that has moved from San Francisco to upstate New York."
Associated Press (AP) "Gay Marriage Licenses Issued in Oregon," ap.org, Mar. 3, 2004
Mar. 8, 2004 - California State Assemblywoman Marries
"This city [San Francisco] once again saw the melding of the personal and political Monday [Mar. 8, 2004] when state Sen. Sheila Kuehl (D-Santa Monica) presided over the marriages of six couples who have long been active in the gay and lesbian community, including Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg. In back-to-back ceremonies on the steps of the City Hall rotunda, Kuehl, California's first openly gay state legislator, pronounced her close friends and political colleagues married to tears and shouts of jubilation."
Los Angeles Times Lee Romney, "Goldberg and Partner Marry in San Francisco," latimes.com, Mar. 9, 2004
Mar. 10, 2004 - Washington Post/ABC Poll Shows Support for Same-Sex Marriage Grows
"About half the country -- 51 percent -- favors allowing gay couples to form civil unions with the same basic legal rights as married couples, up 6 percentage points in less than a month. A slightly larger majority also rejected amending the U.S. Constitution to ban same-sex marriages in favor of allowing states to make their own laws, an increase of 8 percentage points in recent weeks."
Washington Post "Poll Finds Growing Support for Gay Civil Unions," washingtonpost.com, Mar. 10, 2004
Mar. 11, 2004 - California Supreme Court Orders Halt to San Francisco Same-Sex Weddings
"The California Supreme Court today [Mar. 11, 2004] ordered San Francisco officials to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples until the court can hold a hearing on gay marriages. The hearing would be held later this spring ... A Superior Court hearing has been scheduled for Mar. 29. If the state Supreme Court does not intervene, a final resolution to the legal challenges could take at least a year. If the case is permitted to go to trial, San Francisco officials said in their brief, the city will present evidence that 'relegating same-sex relationships to inferior, second-class status severely stigmatizes gay men, lesbians and their families.'"
Los Angeles Times "Court Orders San Francisco Officials to Halt Gay Marriages," latimes.com, Mar. 11, 2004
Mar. 15, 2004 - Spousal Benefits for Gays at the United Nations Challenged
"A bloc of more than 50 Islamic states, backed by the Vatican, sought today to halt U.N. efforts to extend spousal benefits to partners of some gay employees. The initiative came less than two months after U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan moved to award benefits to partners of gay employees who come from countries where such benefits are provided, such as Belgium and the Netherlands...The United Nations has recognized polygamy, a common practice in the Islamic world, as a legitimate form of marriage and permits employees to divide their benefits among more than one wife. But the decision to expand that right to same-sex partners has fueled intense opposition...
The European Union, Canada, Australia and New Zealand defended Annan's decision on benefits for U.N. staffers. 'The European Union is satisfied with this practice and we see no reason why the secretary general's prerogative in this area should now be contested,' said Ireland's envoy, Margaret Stanley, speaking on behalf of the EU.
But conservative critics said the secretary general's decision represents an unwelcome assault on conservative values, and they vowed to take the fight to the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva in the coming weeks. 'I have no doubt there will be very strong opposition from Islamic countries, from some Latin Americans and the Vatican,' said Austin Ruse, president of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute, which has worked closely with the Vatican at the United Nations."
Washington Post "UN Spousal Benefits for Gays in Dispute," washingtonpost.com, Mar. 16, 2004
Mar. 16, 2004 - New York Times/CBS Poll Shows 59% Support Constitutional Amendment Restricting Marriage to 'a Man and a Woman'
"By 59 percent to 35 percent, respondents said they supported a constitutional amendment that would 'allow marriage only between a man and a woman.' But 56 percent said that they did not view the issue as important enough to merit changing the nation's constitution."
New York Times "The 2004 Campaign: The Poll; Nation's Direction Prompts Voters' Concern, Poll Finds," nytimes.com, Mar. 16, 2004
Mar. 19, 2004 - Quebec Ruling Paves Way for Gay Marriages
"Homosexuals have the right to wed, Quebec's top court said Friday [Mar. 19, 2004], making it the third Canadian province to allow same-sex marriage. The Quebec Court of Appeal upheld a lower-court ruling that the traditional definition of marriage is discriminatory and unjustified."
Boston Globe, "Quebec Court Paves Way for Gay Marriages," bostonglobe.com, Mar. 19, 2004
Mar. 23, 2004 - Oregon County Bans All Marriage
"In a new twist in the battle over same-sex marriage roiling the United States, a county in Oregon has banned all marriages -- gay and heterosexual -- until the state decides who can and who cannot wed.The last marriage licenses were handed out in Benton County at 4 p.m. local time Tuesday [Mar. 23, 2004]. As of Wednesday, officials in the county of 79,000 people will begin telling couples applying for licenses to go elsewhere until the gay marriage debate is settled. 'It may seem odd,' Benton County Commissioner Linda Modrell told Reuters in a telephone interview, but 'we need to treat everyone in our county equally.'
State Attorney General Hardy Myers said in a statement that he was 'very pleased' with Benton County's decision. 'It is my sincere hope that the legal process will provide clarity for each of Oregon's counties.'"
Reuters "Gay-Marriage Debate in Missouri Sparks ‘Inflammatory’ Comments," reuters.com, Mar. 24, 2004
Mar. 30, 2004 - Conservatives Testify Against Constitutional Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage
"Several high-profile conservative Americans testified at a Congressional hearing today [Mar. 30, 2004] in opposition to changing the U.S. Constitution. At today's House Judiciary subcommittee hearing around a constitutional amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples, former Congressman Bob Barr and Wyoming State Sen. John Hanes -- both Republicans -- rejected tampering with the Constitution..."'If we begin to treat the Constitution as our personal sandbox, in which to build and destroy castles as we please, we risk diluting the grandeur of having a Constitution in the first place,' said former Rep. Bob Barr, R-Ga., who penned the Defense of Marriage Act.
Sen. Hanes added: 'Our goal as conservatives should be to avoid creating needless division, and instead let the people build their communities without federal interference.'"
Human Rights Campaign hrc.org, Mar. 30, 2004
Mar. 31, 2004 - UK Grants 'Joint Rights' to Same-Sex Couples
"Gay and lesbian couples are to be given the chance to get similar legal rights to married couples under a new Civil Partnership Bill. The measures, unveiled on Wednesday, allows legal recognition for gay couples for the first time. The Bill gives the legal rights to same-sex couples who register their partnership at a civil ceremony.Gay couples would not have to live together for a certain length of time to be eligible for the rights and if the partnership breaks up, there would be a formal court process for dissolving it."
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "Gay Couples to Get Joint Rights," bbc.co.uk, Mar. 31, 2004
Apr. 20, 2004 - Oregon Same-Sex Marriages Ordered Halted
"A judge on Tuesday ordered Multnomah County to stop issuing marriage licenses to gay couples. The action effectively ends gay marriage nationally, because the county was the only jurisdiction in the country known to currently allow same-sex weddings."
Associated Press (AP) "Oregon Same-Sex Marriages Ordered Halted," ap.org, Apr. 20, 2004
May 17, 2004 - First Legal Gay Marriage in the United States
Marcia Kadish and Tanya McCloskey, the first legally married same-sex couple in the United States.
Source: boston.com (accessed Sep. 17, 2013)
Washington Post "Gay Couples Wed in Mass.," washingtonpost.com, May 17, 2004
June 10, 2004 - New York Court Backs Gay Marriage
"A New York court has ruled in favour of gay marriages saying that failure to do so would breach the equal rights laws written into the state's constitution.In its ruling the court in the town of New Paltz also dismissed the charges against local mayor Jason West who wed dozens of gay couples in February. It had been claimed that Mr West broke the law when he allowed the marriages."
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) "New York Court Backs Gay Marriage," bbc.co.uk, June 10, 2004
July 14, 2004 - Same-Sex Marriage Ban Fails in US Senate
"Efforts to pass a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage foundered Wednesday afternoon in the Senate when the proposal failed to garner enough votes to stay alive.After final arguments by the leaders of each party, the Republicans mustered 48 votes, 12 short of the 60 they needed to overcome a procedural hurdle and move the proposed amendment to the floor.
'In 217 years, we've only amended that sacred document 17 times,' said Sen. Tom Daschle, D-South Dakota before the vote. 'There have been 11,000 separate attempts.'
There is no urgent need to amend the Constitution now, he said.
But Sen. Bill Frist disagreed. 'It has become clear to legal scholars ... that same-sex marriage will be exported to all 50 states,' said the majority leader, from Tennessee.
'Will activist judges not elected by the American people destroy the institution of marriage, or will the people protect marriage as the best way to raise children? My vote is with the people.'"
Cable News Network (CNN) "Same-sex Marriage Senate Battle Over, War Is Not," cnn.com, July 15, 2004
Aug. 3, 2004 - Missouri Votes to Ban Same-Sex Marriage
"Missouri voters solidly endorsed a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage..."
Associated Press (AP) "Missouri Voters Approve Gay Marriage Ban; Vote Seen as Bellwether for Other States," ap.org, Aug. 4, 2004
Aug. 4, 2004 - Seattle Judge Approves Same-Sex Marriages
"Gay couples can be married under Washington state law, because denying their right to do so is a violation of their constitutional rights, a judge ruled Wednesday [Aug. 4, 2004].'The denial to the plaintiffs of the right to marry constitutes a denial of substantive due process,' King County Superior Court Judge William L. Downing said in his ruling."
Associated Press (AP) "Washington Judge OKs Same-Sex Marriage," ap.org, Aug. 4, 2004
Aug. 12, 2004 - California Supreme Court Voids Same-Sex Marriages
"Thousands of marriages sanctioned in San Francisco earlier this year were voided Thursday when the California Supreme Court ruled that city's mayor overstepped his authority by issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said the city would appeal the 5-2 ruling by the state's high court...In its ruling Thursday, the court said San Francisco illegally issued the certificates and performed the wedding ceremonies, since state law defined marriage as a union between a man and woman. The justices nullified the nearly 4,000 marriages performed between February 12 and Mar. 11, when the court halted the weddings.
The court did not resolve whether the California Constitution would permit a same-sex marriage, ruling instead on the limits of authority regarding local government officials.
The high court's ruling ordered city and county officials to 'take all necessary remedial steps to undo the continuing effects of the officials' past unauthorized actions, including making appropriate corrections to all relevant official records and notifying all affected same-sex couples that the same-sex marriages authorized by the officials are void and of no legal effect.'"
Cable News Network (CNN) "California High Court Voids Same-Sex Marriage," cnn.com, Aug. 13, 2004
Aug. 24, 2004 - Vice President Dick Cheney Sees Same-Sex Marriage as a State Issue
Dick Cheney with his openly gay daughter Mary Cheney.
Source: dailycaller.com, June 22, 2012
Asked his position on the subject at a town hall meeting here, Cheney replied: 'Lynne and I have a gay daughter, so it's an issue that our family is very familiar with. . . . With respect to the question of relationships, my general view is that freedom means freedom for everyone. People . . . ought to be free to enter into any kind of relationship they want to.'
Cheney went on to reiterate the position he first outlined in the 2000 campaign -- that same-sex marriage should be left to the states to decide. He noted, however, that Bush has endorsed a constitutional amendment preventing the states from recognizing such marriages.
'At this point . . . my own preference is as I've stated,' Cheney said. 'But the president makes basic policy for the administration. And he's made it.'"
Washington Post "Cheney Sees Gay Marriage as State Issue," washingtonpost.com, Aug. 25, 2004
Sep. 18, 2004 - Same-Sex Marriage Ban Approved in Louisiana
"Louisiana voters overwhelmingly approved a state constitutional amendment Saturday [Sep. 18, 2004] banning same-sex marriages and civil unions, one of up to 12 such measures on the ballot around the country this year."
Associated Press (AP) "Louisiana Voters Approve Same-Sex Marriage Amendment," ap.org, Sep. 20, 2004
Sep. 30, 2004 - US House of Representatives Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Ban
"The House joined the Senate yesterday in refusing to approve a constitutional amendment to bar same-sex marriage, described by Republican supporters as a vital protection for traditional families but denounced by Democratic foes as a divisive pre-election ploy to inflame prejudice.The vote by the GOP-controlled House was 227 to 186 in favor of writing the same-sex marriage ban into the Constitution, 49 short of the two-thirds majority needed to approve an amendment and send it to the states for ratification.
The Senate, also controlled by Republicans, voted 50 to 48 in July against taking up the amendment."
Washington Post "House Rejects Same-Sex Marriage Ban," washingtonpost.com, Oct. 1, 2004
Nov. 2, 2004 - 11 US States Pass Initiatives to Ban Same-Sex Marriage
"Measures banning same-sex marriage passed by wide margins in all 11 states that had them on Tuesday's [Nov. 2, 2004] ballot, in what conservative groups described yesterday [Nov. 3, 2004] as a sweeping popular rejection of a Massachusetts court's decision to allow gay marriage in that state."
Washington Post "Same-Sex Bans Fuel Conservative Agenda," washingtonpost.com, Nov. 4, 2004
(Note: Click here to see a recap of those 11 measures.)
Nov. 29, 2004 - US Supreme Court Declines to Review Massachusetts' Same-Sex Marriage Law
"The Supreme Court on Monday [Nov. 29, 2004] sidestepped a dispute over same-sex marriages, rejecting a challenge to the nation's only law sanctioning such unions."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Supreme Court Declines Massachusetts Same-Sex Marriage Fight Conservatives Had Challenged State Law Allowing Unions," cnn.com, Nov. 29, 2004
Feb. 4, 2005 - State Judge Rules That New York Ban on Same-Sex Marriage Is Illegal
"A New York State judge in Manhattan ruled yesterday (Feb. 4, 2005) that a state law that effectively denied gay couples the right to marry violated the state Constitution, a decision that raised the possibility that the city would begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples as soon as next month.The ruling, by Justice Doris Ling-Cohan, was the first on the state level to side with proponents of gay marriage. In her 62-page decision, she wrote that the state's Domestic Relations Law, which dates to 1909 and limits marriage to unions between opposite-sex couples, deprived gay couples of equal protection and due process rights under the state Constitution.
She likened the law to those that once barred interracial marriages and said that words currently used in defining legal marriages - husband and wife, groom and bride - 'shall be construed to apply equally to either men or women.'"
New York Times "Judge's Ruling Opens Window for Gay Marriage in New York City," nytimes.com, Feb. 5, 2005
Feb. 23, 2005 - Pope Calls Same-Sex Marriage 'Evil'
Pope John Paul II.
Source: biography.com (accessed Sep. 16, 2013)
'It is legitimate and necessary to ask oneself if this is not perhaps part of a new ideology of evil, perhaps more insidious and hidden, which attempts to pit human rights against the family and against man,' he writes."
Reuters "Pope Calls Gay Marriage Part of 'Ideology of Evil,'" reuters.com, Feb. 23, 2005
Mar. 14, 2005 - Judge Rules California Same-Sex Marriage Ban Is Unconstitutional
"A judge ruled today [Mar. 14, 2005] that California can no longer justify limiting marriage to a man and a woman, a legal milestone that if upheld on appeal would pave the way for the nation's most populous state to follow Massachusetts in allowing same-sex couples to wed...'The state's protracted denial of equal protection cannot be justified simply because such constitutional violation has become traditional,' Kramer wrote."
Associated Press (AP) "Judge Says Calif.
Can't Ban Gay Marriage," ap.org, Mar. 14, 2005
Apr. 4, 2005 - Kansas Voters Approve Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage
"Voters in Kansas overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment banning same-sex couples from marrying or entering into civil unions. With more than half of the precincts reporting, 298,647 votes, or 70 percent, were cast in favor of a amendment, with 128,366, or 30 percent, opposed."
New York Times "Kansas: Voters Approve Amendment Banning Same-Sex Marriage," nytimes.com, Apr. 5, 2005
Apr. 14, 2005 - Oregon Court Voids Same-Sex Marriage Licenses
"The Oregon Supreme Court on Thursday (Apr. 14, 2005) nullified nearly 3,000 marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples by Multnomah County a year ago, saying a single county couldn't take such action on its own. The court said while the county can question the constitutionality of laws governing marriage, they are a matter of statewide concern so the county had no authority to issue licenses to gay couples."
Cable News Network (CNN) "Oregon Court Voids Same-Sex Marriage Licenses," cnn.com, Apr. 14, 2005
Apr. 20, 2005 - Connecticut Approves Same-Sex Civil Unions
"Connecticut on Wednesday [Apr. 20, 2005] became the second state to offer civil unions to gay couples -- and the first to do so without being forced by the courts...The Senate approved the amended bill Wednesday 26-8. The law takes effect October 1."
Associated Press (AP) "Connecticut OKs Civil Unions for Gay Couples," ap.org, Apr. 20, 2005
Apr. 25, 2005 - Navajo Nation Bans Same-Sex Marriage
"The Navajo Nation has forbidden same-sex marriages on its Arizona reservation. The Tribal Council voted unanimously in favor of legislation that recognizes only the union of one man and one woman, and prohibits marriages between close relatives.'Men and women have been created in a sacred manner,' delegate Harriet K. Becenti said."
Los Angeles Times "Navajo Council Bars Same-Sex Marriage," latimes.com, Apr. 25, 2005
June 30, 2005 - Spain Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Deputy Prime Minister Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega, and members of Spain's Parliament applaud the passage of the same-sex marriage bill.
Source: Associated Press, June 30, 2005
"The Spanish Parliament gave final approval today [June 30, 2005] to a bill legalizing same-sex marriage, making Spain only the second nation to eliminate all legal distinctions between same-sex and heterosexual unions, according to supporters of the bill.
The measure, passed by a vote of 187 to 147, establishes that couples will have the same rights, including the freedom to marry and to adopt children, regardless of gender."
New York Times "Spain Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage," nytimes.com, June 30, 2005
July 4, 2005 - United Church of Christ Backs Same-Sex Marriage
"The United Church of Christ became the first mainline Christian denomination to support same-sex marriage officially when its general synod passed a resolution on Monday [July 4, 2005] affirming 'equal marriage rights for couples regardless of gender.'"
New York Times "United Church of Christ Backs Same-Sex Marriage," nytimes.com, July 5, 2005
July 20, 2005 - Canada Legalizes Same-Sex Marriage
"Canada signed gay marriage legislation into law Wednesday [July 20, 2005], becoming the fourth nation to grant full legal rights to same-sex couples."
San Francisco Chronicle "Canada OKs Gay Marriage," sfgate.com, July 25, 2005
Aug. 2005 - California Supreme Court Establishes Co-Parenting Rights for Same-Sex Couples