In the United States, same sex marriage is a controversial topic and is
defined as a legal union between two people of the same sex. In 1996,
the U.S. Congress, under President Bill Clinton, passed the Defense of
Marriage Act, which states that the federal government views marriage
as a union between a man and a woman. Therefore, the national
government cannot legally recognize same sex marriage. Individual
states, districts, and tribes may recognize gay marriage, however. As
of 2010, five U.S. states and Washington D.C. grant same sex marriages.
One Native American tribe, the Coquille tribe of Oregon, allows same
sex marriage as well.
Public support of same sex marriage first emerged during the 1970s, but it wasn’t until after the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 that any legal changes occurred. Same sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts in 2003, Connecticut in 2008, Iowa and Vermont in 2009, and New Hampshire and Washington D.C. in 2010. Three states—Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York—recognize same sex marriages but don’t allow them to be performed in the state. Thirty states have outright banned same sex marriage in their constitution.
In California, a Supreme Court decision in May 2008 ruled that disallowing same sex marriage violated the state’s constitution. However, later the same year, Proposition 8 on Election Day overturned that decision. The state does continue to recognize the 18,000 same sex marriages that took place during 2008.
Public support of same sex marriage first emerged during the 1970s, but it wasn’t until after the passage of the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 that any legal changes occurred. Same sex marriage became legal in Massachusetts in 2003, Connecticut in 2008, Iowa and Vermont in 2009, and New Hampshire and Washington D.C. in 2010. Three states—Maryland, Rhode Island, and New York—recognize same sex marriages but don’t allow them to be performed in the state. Thirty states have outright banned same sex marriage in their constitution.
In California, a Supreme Court decision in May 2008 ruled that disallowing same sex marriage violated the state’s constitution. However, later the same year, Proposition 8 on Election Day overturned that decision. The state does continue to recognize the 18,000 same sex marriages that took place during 2008.
