With DOMA and Prop8 now decided, Brent Almond honors the states (and a couple of countries*) that laid the groundwork to get us to this point in the nation’s history.

Over the last decade, thousands upon thousands of Americans have sacrificed their time, money, privacy and sanity to get same-sex marriage legalized in their respective home states. Their goal of obtaining full rights for LGBT couples and families was not easily fought, and it’s upon their shoulders we will stand equal to the rest of the country, whether it’s now or in the future. I’m rooting for now…my fridge is running out of space.

Surprising no one, The Netherlands became the first country in the world to legalize same-sex marriage, November 2001.

Massachusetts, May 17, 2004. Who knew Red Sox fans could be so cool?

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Don’t Blame Canada. Our northern neighbor becomes the first non-European country to legalize same-sex marriage, July 20, 2005.

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Connecticut, November 5, 2008. Way to go, Nutmeggers!

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California legalizes same-sex marriage from June 16 until November 5, 2008. Supported by The Governator, overturned by Prop8.*

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Iowa, April 27, 2009. Cue nationwide “WTF?” (Magnet courtesy of Kristin Stork)

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Vermont, September 1, 2009. Ben & Jerry can now legally wed.

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Never to be outdone by Vermont… New Hampshire, January 1, 2010

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The District of Columbia, March 9, 2010. In January 2013, Washington National Cathedral announced it will perform same-sex weddings. Giddy wedding planners can be heard as far away as West Virginia.

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New York ♥s same-sex marriage, July 24, 2011.

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Double espressos all around! Washington, December 6, 2012

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Maine, December 29, 2012 (Magnet courtesy of Carrie Lutz & Holly Francis)

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Maryland, January 1, 2013 (Read about the night legislation passed in my home state)

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Rhode Island, legislation passed May 2, 2013. Becomes legal August 1, 2013 (Magnet courtesy of… well, I don’t actually remember. Will the generous soul who sent this let me know?)

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