Civil same-sex marriage ceremony being performed in San Francisco City Hall. Same-sex marriage is recognized in several U.S. jurisdictions. The "Defense of Marriage Act" (DOMA), enacted in 1996, prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages and allows each U.S. state to refuse recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states. Since 2004, six states have legalized same-sex marriage: Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont, while the District of Columbia, and two Native American tribes legalize same-sex marriage as well.[1]
Two states[2] recognize same-sex marriages performed in other juridictions.[3][4] California, which briefly granted same-sex marriage in 2008, now only recognizes them on a conditional basis.[5] Laws that would legalize same-sex marriage in Washington and Maryland were passed in 2012,[6][7] but each will be subject to a referendum during the November 2012 elections,[8] while Maine will also vote on an citizens' initiative to establish same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage has been legalized through court rulings and legislative action, but not via popular vote.[9][10] Nine states prohibit same-sex marriage in statute and thirty prohibit it in their constitution.[11] The movement to obtain marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s,[12] but became more prominent in U.S. politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state's prohibition to be unconstitutional in Baehr v. Lewin.[13]
During the 21st century, public support for legalizing same-sex marriage has grown considerably,[14][15] and various national polls conducted since 2011 show that a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage.[16] On May 9, 2012, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare support for the legalization of same-sex marriage.[17][18]
Two states[2] recognize same-sex marriages performed in other juridictions.[3][4] California, which briefly granted same-sex marriage in 2008, now only recognizes them on a conditional basis.[5] Laws that would legalize same-sex marriage in Washington and Maryland were passed in 2012,[6][7] but each will be subject to a referendum during the November 2012 elections,[8] while Maine will also vote on an citizens' initiative to establish same-sex marriage.
Same-sex marriage has been legalized through court rulings and legislative action, but not via popular vote.[9][10] Nine states prohibit same-sex marriage in statute and thirty prohibit it in their constitution.[11] The movement to obtain marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s,[12] but became more prominent in U.S. politics in 1993 when the Hawaii Supreme Court declared the state's prohibition to be unconstitutional in Baehr v. Lewin.[13]
During the 21st century, public support for legalizing same-sex marriage has grown considerably,[14][15] and various national polls conducted since 2011 show that a majority of Americans support same-sex marriage.[16] On May 9, 2012, Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. president to publicly declare support for the legalization of same-sex marriage.[17][18]
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