Gay Rights: Facts from Bush to Obama

Bush elected as president, opinions of gay rights are low

Jan 20, 2001

Approval ratings for gay marriages are low; 35% approve, 57% do not approve. infographic URL below http://awesome.good.is/transparency/web/1108/gay-marriage/flash.html

Massachusettes bucks the system

Nov 18, 2003

Mass. Supreme Court ruled that denying gays the right to marry was "unconstitutional". Subsequently, Mass. becomes the first state to allow out-of-state gays to marry. Makes headlines with the first gay marriage in the U.S later in 2004. timeline source below http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0761909.html

Bush backs constitutional amendment banning gay marriages

Feb 24, 2004

"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 Their actions have created confusion on an issue that requires clarity." -President George W. Bush copy & paste URL
http://articles.cnn.com/2004-02-24/politics/elec04.prez.bush.marriage_1_single-state-or-city-marriage-rights-marriage-licenses?_s=PM:ALLPOLITICS

Massachusetts defies govt. & allows gays to marry

May 10, 2004

Massachusetts defies govt. ban on gay marriages and permits out-of-state gays to wed. Sues U.S govt. over gay marriage ban. corresponding article below http://articles.sfgate.com/2007-06-15/news/17247856_1_same-sex-marriage-civil-unions-kris-mineau

Massachusetts sets record history for first LEGAL gay marriage

May 17, 2004

Massachusetts hosts first LEGAL gay marriage

House of Representatives rejects constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage

Jul 18, 2006

House of Representatives rejects constitutional amendment to ban gay marriages. source below http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,204087,00.html

Obama assumes office

Jan 20, 2009

44th U.S President, Barack Obama assumes office. Surprisingly, public opinion about gay marriage hasn't really improved since 2001. Approve: 35%
Disapprove: 57% source below
http://www.pewforum.org/Gay-Marriage-and-Homosexuality/Public-Opinion-on-Gay-Marriage-Opponents-Consistently-Outnumber-Supporters.aspx

President Obama declares DOMA "unconstitutional"

Feb 23, 2011

President Obama declares the Defense of Marriage Act "unconstitutional" . Further directs the Dept. of Justice to stop defending it. source below http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/23/obama-doma-unconstitutional_n_827134.html

Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Abolished

Dec 18, 2011

President Obama abolishes the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law that discouraged openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S armed forces. One of the biggest moments in LGBT rights history. Opinion polls about gay marriage/rights as of 2011;
Approve: 45%
Disapprove: 46% source below http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/09/dont-ask-dont-tell-officially-repealed.html