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Defense of Marriage Act upholds states' rights to ban same-sex marriages and to refuse to recognize such marriages performed elsewhere.
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Hawaii's vote allows the state legislature to define marriage.
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Vermont approves the creation of same-sex civil unions, thus entitling gay couples to rights and benefits normally available to married couples.
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November vote passes initiative by 70%. Nebraska will swing back and forth on this issue for the next decade.
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Court rules the state constitution guarantees equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.
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Bush announces support for federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
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Massachusetts Legislature votes to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage but allow civil unions.
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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
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U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon said the ban "imposes significant burdens on both the expressive and intimate associational rights" of gays.
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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
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Arizona becomes the first state where voters move against a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage and other benefits for unmarried couples.
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Voters in seven states - Idaho, Colorado, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin - approve constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.
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California Supreme Court rules the existing state same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.
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California Supreme Court, in a 4-3 decision, rules that the state constitution guarantees same-sex couples the right to marry.
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Court rules unanimously that a state law limiting marriage to a man and a woman is unconstitutional.
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Vermont override the governor's veto to make their state the first to legalize same-sex marriage by a legislative vote.
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WaPo videoMayor Fenty signs, now pending review by Congress.
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Maine's governor signs gay marriage legislation. Opponents immediately file papers seeking a referendum in which voters could overturn the law.
