Banned by statute

Banned by constitutional amendment

Legalized

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

A ruling by the Hawaii Supreme Court in 1993 allowing same-sex marriage, along with rising demands for marriage equality nationwide, prompted a backlash. A majority of states, including Hawaii, adopted laws or constitutional amendments that limited marriage to a man and a woman. In 1996, Congress passed the Defense of Marriage Act, banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

2000

1998

1999

2001

2002

2003

2005

2004

2006

In 2004, Massachusetts became the first state to issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples. The same year, however, voters in 13 states passed constitutional amendments that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015