Just two decades ago, the concept of same-sex marriage in the United States was often dismissed or derided. Yet, through persistent advocacy, pivotal court decisions, and legislative reform, marriage equality has become a legal reality in all 50 states and U.S. territories.
As we look back at the key milestones that reshaped American family law and civil rights, it is instructive to revisit the states that served as early bellwethers of change.
Early Legalization Efforts by State
Connecticut
Connecticut became the third state to legalize same-sex marriage on November 12, 2008, after initially passing a civil union law in 2005. The 2009 legislation converted all existing civil unions to marriages, granting full marital rights to same-sex couples.
Iowa
A landmark Iowa Supreme Court ruling on April 3, 2009 affirmed that denying same-sex couples the right to marry violated the state constitution. Iowa’s action demonstrated that support for marriage equality extended beyond coastal states and into the American heartland.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts led the nation, becoming the first state to legalize same-sex marriage following the Supreme Judicial Court’s decision in May 2004. Thousands of couples have since married under its law, and the state’s leadership inspired broader legal reform.
New Hampshire
On January 1, 2010, New Hampshire replaced its civil union regime with full marriage equality. This came just two years after implementing civil unions, reflecting growing public and political support for same-sex marriage.
Vermont
Vermont had long been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights. It introduced civil unions in 2000 and legalized same-sex marriage in 2009—becoming the first state to enact marriage equality through legislative means, overriding a gubernatorial veto.
Washington, D.C.
The District of Columbia legalized same-sex marriage with the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Equality Amendment Act of 2009, which took effect on March 9, 2010. The city quickly became a destination for couples from less supportive jurisdictions.
New York
In a major milestone, New York legalized same-sex marriage on June 24, 2011, with the law taking effect in July. As the most populous state to do so at the time, New York’s decision had national influence and sparked celebrations across the state.
California
California’s path was turbulent. Same-sex marriage was briefly legal in 2008 until Proposition 8 amended the state constitution. However, a federal district court later found Prop 8 unconstitutional. After a drawn-out legal battle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2013 that Prop 8’s defenders lacked standing to appeal, effectively reinstating same-sex marriage in California.
National Legalization: Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
The turning point came on June 26, 2015, when the U.S. Supreme Court issued its historic ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges. The Court held that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry, legalizing same-sex marriage across the entire country. This decision required all states to both issue and recognize marriage licenses for same-sex couples.
Legislative Protection: Respect for Marriage Act (2022)
In December 2022, Congress enacted the Respect for Marriage Act, which repealed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and requires states to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions. This legislative safeguard ensures ongoing recognition of marriages even if the judicial landscape changes.
Current Status (as of April 2025)
As of today, same-sex marriage is fully legal and recognized in all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., and all U.S. territories, including Puerto Rico and Guam. While some states still retain unenforceable statutory or constitutional bans, these are rendered void under Obergefell and the Respect for Marriage Act. In 2024, several states—including California and Hawaii—took the additional step of formally repealing these obsolete provisions.
Final Thoughts
While once controversial and uncertain, the legal status of same-sex marriage is now settled nationwide. The journey from isolated court rulings to nationwide marriage equality reflects the power of the judiciary, legislatures, and public advocacy to drive civil rights forward. Though the road was often fraught, it ultimately led to a more inclusive and equal America.
Gen 2:24 Gen.19,Lev. 17:11,Lev. 18:22-30, Psalms 1:1-6,Mat. 19:4-6, Rom. 1:20-32, 1 Cor. 6:1-5;9-12,Jude 1:6, Rev. 20: 12-15
You will never be able to change this. And I love you and I support you in the quest for love and acceptance.
Your friend
Dear Pastor,
Thank you for posting the scriptural references to marriage.
You are correct, in that I will never be able to change the scriptures. And I’m not even trying.
But what I do want to change–and am changing–is the secular government’s imposition of your religious beliefs on me as a citizen.
I thank you for your love and and support.
But I am not getting married for love and acceptance.
My partner and I already have all the love either one of us needs, and we’ve been accepted for years.
One should not get married to find love and acceptance.
One should get married because one has already found love and acceptance, and marriage is the perfect celebration of that.
Your friend
One of the things that makes this country great is the separation of church and state. Keep religion where it belongs — out of our government and out of private lives.
If you want to mix government and religion, there are a number of countries that do just that.
Examples of theocratic totalitarian countries (not an exhaustive list):
IRAN, SAUDI ARABIA, AFGHANISTAN, PAKISTAN, SOMALIA, etc.
I am sure if you wished to go there any of these governments would be happy to have you.
I realize people who believe consenting adults have a right to form private associations will never change the minds of those who do not. But my rights to live happily ever after with my current spouse should not be impinged upon by those who prefer a theocratic totalitarian government.
and that way we have a seperation of church and state
I would not and will not and shall not allow same sex couples be a part of the congregation. Even if I was 6 years old I would not be happy to see that. That is out of place. It is just not right. What is this world coming to? going to hell gift wrapped that is what it is coming to. I can not believe that people think this is ok.
I am 100% Born-Again Christian but i agree with same sex marriage 100%. Maybe it’s because my brother and cousin are homosexual. I honestly don’t really know but i still don’t see the problem with it. As long as you have found someone that treats you well and that you are happy with and are in love with then you should be able to be with the person for the rest of your life without having to try to find acceptance from other people.
Thou shall ROT IN HELL .
point. blank. period.
SICK!!!
They should be banned and sent to hell
All of you all saying things about going to hell…see you there bitches! 😀
If you were to check the background and really study the Bible. You would understand that it is the behaviors of the “homosexuals” that is being judged as wrong…they were having sex and orgies outside of marriage. The Bible does not condem gay people and we are all created in God’s image so to say that homosexuals should rot in hell is just ignorant. I would venture to say that most people who condem gay beople do so because it is what they were taught to do by their church or their family. Not by God.
Luke 6:37, John 3:18
Respectfully,
Meghan
God Jehova does not hate the sinner. In fact Jesus surrounded himself with sinners. God hates the sin. In the bible you wont find the words homosexual christian. They just arent there, regardless of how much the gay, lesbian, transexual community would like to believe they have a place in heaven. Gods rules not mine. If you have an argument with our heavenly father, take it up with him. Mankind does NOT hold any of the answers you seek. To say that homosexuals are not going to hell is not true folks. Read the bible. Why else would there be a bible in the first place? Mabey to start a fire with?
I can’t believe people still saying mean things like this and call themselves “god loving people”. You can’t pick and choose. If there is a god. he/she will not hate anyone. Supreme being don’t stoop down to hate like that.
This is human nature that thousand of years ago human didn’t have knowledge of just like we believed the earth was flat. A book that written thousand of years ago doesn’t defy us as a society today. People getting smarter, learn from the mistakes, the assumption not continue to say “the book told me so”. Jesus didn’t write the new testament. It was “MEN” that wrote the book.
You won’t find the words “heterosexual christian” in the Bible either. Also, I don’t care about your heaven or your hell; I don’t believe in either, so why should I care?
However, I do respect that you will let us take it up with God himself rather than taking it into your own hands. I just hope you are following God’s example and loving /everyone/ whether they need to take up an argument with God or not.
Christ himself doesn’t say anything about homosexuals, but christ did teach and show by his deeds is that we’re to love and accept everyone no matter who’s different or how low we feel them to be they are from us…
-ok what the hell is wrong with you people i am a 100% chrisian and i am gay and god gave us a place to choose what we wanted to be so therefore all you hypocrites out there need to learn the bible and get the hell over because one day ill make sure its legal in all states js god bless have a wonderful day
oh and if you hae a problem bout it take it up with me my email is david_dowling@rocketmail.com
And I’m with skittles (above ^^) if you have a problem with what I have said then please feel free to rant your little heart out till its content. my e-mail is mg_rodgers@yahoo.com
My answer will continue to be the same though.
WE ARE ALL EQUAL!!!
No matter what anyone says.
What state closest to Texas can we go to get married?
Homosexuality is wrong in the eyes of the heavenly father! That said, it was Jesus who said, “Let he who among you without sin cast the first stone!” (and there was none to cast a stone), Christians don’t condemn people to hell. Judge Ye not, less Ye be judged. However, I do believe that the father punishes nations that transgress his laws. Without judging, ..fact, it is sexual sin. Read the Holy Bible.
So when these states get wiped off the face of the map, don’t be on CNN crying, why, why why. His judgement is true and just.
dont preach about the bible you little fucking robot bitchs, you dont see us gay on the alter with a shoot gun pointed to our heads, we have taken media back lash for to long and finally they are allowing same sex in many states. so go fuck yourselves.
GO GAAAYYYYAY PEOPLE!!!!!! <3
MY FRIEND SAYS GAY PEOPLE ARE COOL!!!!(:
Homosexuality is no different in the eyes of the lord than fornication (premarital sex) and adultery. to any one who calls them self a christian and can have the audacity to tell someone to rot in hell is no more christian than an atheist. I’m a 100% heterosexual male that is simply tired of this hatred towards my fellow man. think about your personal sins before you criticize someone else’s.
It’s against the bible to divorce and yet there’s an over 50% divorce rate. If anything threatens straight marriage, it’s straight people!
Gay marriage is coming. Canada did it and nothing changed… there is no way to tell- go up there, you will not see any difference. The anti-gay bigot generation will die off and leave only a few discontented stragglers. Equality is coming, it’s just a matter of time.
u know im a lesbian. and im proud and so is mom. so FUCKING WHAT. we are all EQUAL
I don’t know were some of you are getting it is a sin to love some one no matter of sex god is in your heart and if you love that person than that is your hearts way of saying its right and if god is in your heart listen to what is there not people they are not god .
I am a lesbian and I am proud of it I love her no matter what anybody say!!!! I am a christian as well we go to church. God said “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Everybody sins God said no sin is bigger than another. I don’t see where it says we can’t marry another female. There for find something else to do than judge us.
listen up jackasses who being gay is okay well it’s not don’t u fools know that if you continue down that you’re going straight to hell and another thing you can’t be gay and christan at the same time it’s god or satan there is no such thing as purgtory i will continue to pray for gay people
i definetly agree being gay is against god it says it in the bible in the book of leviticus 18:22-23 and leviticus 20:13-14 i hope you find the truth and repent of you’re works
i personally believe gays should not have right to marry i think gays need to change
It is always easy to be passionate about what pleases ourselves. Being comfortable is a very addictive place for human beings. Unfortunately, just because it is our desire or is what makes us comfortable, it is not always what is right. I am the lover of your souls homosexuals, therefore as a woman of God I feel obligated to speak the truth because it shall set you free. It is the truth that NOTHING can seperate you from the Love of God. BUT sin does seperate you from Him. Satan, who by the way is real, assigns many demonic forces in the earth. The same force that convinces a murderer to kill is the same force that convinces a man that he is in love with another man/ woman with another woman, and that its ok because its your right. Those that crucified Jesus felt it was their right…but clearly it was wrong. This situation of homosexuality is not a right or wrong issue, its a truth issue. I can guarantee you that if ANY person truly commits his/her life to Christ and the principles of Christ then they will be renewed by the transforming of the mind. Homosexuals, especially the ones who are claiming to be Christians, challenge yourselves by the Word and measure yourselves against the Word not the world. Then and only then will you know what pleases God, and pleasing Him is what its all about. Praying for each of you by name.
In Love.
Feel sorry for these people because they Will cause alto of problème on thé society ,first because they are Robbins thé next génération or a child from knowing a true mother and father