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DOMA Found Unconstitutional
U.S. District Court Judge Vanessa Bryant declares that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional under the fifth amendment, which gives all citizens equal protection under the law. Signed into law by President Clinton in 1996, DOMA was created to ensure that gay and lesbian couples did not recieve the same benefits as heterosexual couples. These include benefits in Social Security, housing, food stamps, tax returns and insurance. -
Record National Support for Marriage Equality
A national poll by the Washington Post finds support for marriage equality to be at an all-time high, at 59%. The poll found that support has increased in all regions of the country and throughout all age groups. Support increased from both Democrats and Republicans, with 40% of Republicans now standing on the side of marriage equality. -
Supreme Court Paves the Way for 11 More States
By refusing to review cases opposing gay marriage, the United States Supreme Court allowed the rulings of lower courts in favor of gay marriage to stand. By doing this, the Supreme Court paves the way for marriage equality in Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming. This brings the total number of states with marriage equality to 30 states. -
9th Circuit Appeals Court Wins 5 More States
The 9th Circuit Appeals Court, which has jurisdiction over the West Coast of the United States, rules in favor of marriage equality in Alaska, Arizona, Idaho, Montana and Nevada. -
Missouri Becomes the Most Recent Equal State
U.S. District Court Judge Otrie D. Smith rules in favor of the freedom to marry in Missouri, making it the most recent state to acheive marriage equality,
