Since the mid‑1990s, the United States has seen a series of federal statutes, state court rulings, and legislative measures that have defined and redefined the legal recognition of marriages between two people of the same sex. Below is a chronological overview of the most significant events.

1990s: Federal Definition and Early State Court Rulings

September 21, 1996 – President Bill Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), establishing a federal definition of marriage as a union between one man and one woman and denying federal recognition of same‑sex marriages.

December 3, 1996 – A Hawaii state court rules that gay and lesbian couples are entitled to the same privileges as opposite‑sex married couples. The decision is stayed and appealed the next day.

December 20, 1999 – The Vermont Supreme Court rules that gay and lesbian couples should receive the same rights as opposite‑sex couples.

Early 2000s: State Supreme Court Decisions and Local Licenses

November 18, 2003 – The Massachusetts Supreme Court declares a ban on same‑sex marriage unconstitutional, paving the way for the first state‑wide legalization.

February 12–March 11, 2004 – San Francisco issues marriage licenses to nearly 4,000 same‑sex couples before the California Supreme Court orders a halt; the licenses are later nullified.

February 20, 2004 – Sandoval County, New Mexico, issues 26 same‑sex marriage licenses, which are nullified the same day by the state attorney general.

February 24, 2004 – President George W. Bush announces support for a federal constitutional amendment to ban same‑sex marriage.

May 17, 2004 – Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize same‑sex marriage.

Mid‑2000s: Legislative Actions and State Amendments

July 14, 2004 – The U.S. Senate blocks a proposed constitutional amendment banning same‑sex marriage from advancing.

November 2, 2004 – Eleven states adopt constitutional amendments defining marriage as between a man and a woman only.

November 8, 2005 – Texas adopts a constitutional amendment banning same‑sex marriage, becoming the 19th state to do so.

June 6, 2006 – Alabama voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same‑sex marriage.

November 7, 2006 – Eight states place bans on the ballot; seven pass their amendments while Arizona rejects its ban.

2008–2012: State Supreme Courts and Legislative Shifts

May 15, 2008 – The California Supreme Court rules the state ban on same‑sex marriage unconstitutional; the decision takes effect June 16.

October 10, 2008 – The Connecticut Supreme Court orders the state to allow same‑sex marriage.

April 3, 2009 – The Iowa Supreme Court strikes down a state ban, legalizing same‑sex marriage in Iowa.

April 7, 2009 – Vermont legalizes same‑sex marriage after the legislature overturns a gubernatorial veto.

May 6, 2009 – Maine legalizes same‑sex marriage; voters repeal the law later that year.

May 6, 2009 – New Hampshire passes a same‑sex marriage bill, effective January 1, 2010.

June 17, 2009 – President Barack Obama signs a memorandum extending certain federal benefits to same‑sex partners of federal employees.

2010–2012: Federal Courts and Executive Actions

July 9, 2010 – A Massachusetts judge rules the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act unconstitutional for interfering with a state’s authority to define marriage.

August 4, 2010 – U.S. District Judge Vaughn Walker declares California’s Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

February 23, 2011 – The Obama administration directs the Justice Department to cease defending DOMA’s constitutionality.

June 24, 2011 – The New York Senate votes to legalize same‑sex marriage; Governor Andrew Cuomo signs the bill.

February 1, 2012 – Washington’s Senate passes a same‑sex marriage bill, signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire on February 13.

February 7, 2012 – A three‑judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals finds Proposition 8 unconstitutional.

February 17, 2012 – New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoes a same‑sex marriage bill.

February 23, 2012 – Maryland’s Senate passes a same‑sex marriage bill; the governor promises to sign.

International Context

More than 30 countries worldwide have enacted laws permitting same‑sex marriage, primarily in Europe and South America. Taiwan became the first Asian nation to legalize same‑sex marriage.

This timeline reflects the evolving legal landscape surrounding marriage definitions, highlighting the interplay between federal statutes, state constitutions, and judicial interpretation.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.