2015 CROSSING A TIPPING POINT The Supreme Court struck down bans in the remaining states, making same-sex marriage legal nationwide. The Supreme Court struck down bans in the remaining states, making same-sex marriage legal nationwide. 2010 TIDE BEGINS TO TURN Three more New England states legalized same-sex marriage by 2010, including the first states to do so legislatively. Meanwhile, a court ruling in Iowa led to the first gay nuptials in the Midwest. Three more New England states legalized same-sex marriage by 2010, including the first states to do so legislatively. Meanwhile, a court ruling in Iowa led to the first gay nuptials in the Midwest. 2005 MARRIAGE ON THE BALLOT By 2005, voters in 16 more states had amended their constitutions, largely in response to a 2003 court ruling that made Massachusetts the first to grant marriage rights to gay couples. By 2005, voters in 16 more states had amended their constitutions, largely in response to a 2003 court ruling that made Massachusetts the first to grant marriage rights to gay couples. 2000 BANS SWEEP THE COUNTRY New challenges to marriage bans asserted the laws violated states’ constitutions. In response, by 2000 voters in a handful of states approved adding such bans to their constitutions. New challenges to marriage bans asserted the laws violated states’ constitutions. In response, by 2000 voters in a handful of states approved adding such bans to their constitutions. 1996 NATIONAL DEBATE BEGINS A 1996 legal challenge to Hawaii’s ban on same-sex marriage prompted the federal government and a number of states to pass measures preventing recognition of such unions. A 1996 legal challenge to Hawaii’s ban on same-sex marriage prompted the federal government and a number of states to pass measures preventing recognition of such unions.