✕

Internet Explorer 11 is not supported

For optimal browsing, we recommend Chrome, Firefox or Safari browsers.
Archive

State Same-Sex Marriage State Laws Map

Thirty-seven states had legalized same-sex marriage prior to the Supreme Court ruling.

March 25, 2013 • 
Mike Maciag
The gay pride parade in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood.
1/2: The gay pride parade in Chicago's Boystown neighborhood. (FlickrCC/Katie Kullen)
gay-marriage
2/2
In a landmark ruling issued in 2015, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution allows for same-sex marriage, effectively overturning remaining restrictions in place in states.

Prior to the Supreme Court ruling, these 37 states and the District of Columbia had legalized gay marriage:

  • Alabama
  • Alaska
  • Arizona
  • California
  • Colorado
  • Connecticut
  • Delaware
  • Florida
  • Hawaii
  • Idaho
  • Illinois
  • Indiana
  • Iowa
  • Kansas
  • Maine
  • Maryland
  • Massachusetts
  • Minnesota
  • Montana
  • Nevada
  • New Hampshire
  • New Jersey
  • New Mexico
  • New York
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Pennsylvania
  • Rhode Island
  • South Carolina
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • Washington
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming
Most other states had enacted constitutional or statutory bans on same-sex marriage, known as "Defense of Marriage" Acts. The following map shows state laws prior to the Supreme Court ruling:

 

Tags:

Data Reports
Mike Maciag
Mike Maciag
Mike Maciag is Data Editor for GOVERNING.
See More Stories by Mike Maciag
Special Projects
Sponsored Stories
Shutterstock_Analytics2
Sponsored
Modernizing Collections for Improved Efficiencies: 3 Takeaways from New Local Government Research
In recent years, local governments have been forced to adapt to a wildly changing world, especially as it pertains to sending bills and collecting payments.
September 27, 2021
Diverse+Workplace_Shutterstock.jpg
Sponsored
Managing COVID-19 Policy Compliance for the Highest Good
Workplace safety is in the spotlight as government leaders adapt to a prolonged pandemic.
September 08, 2021
man getting tested for the novel coronavirus
Sponsored
At-Home COVID-19 Tests: Demand Surges for Quidel QuickVue, Ellume and AccessBio CareStart Rapid Testing Kits
While government employees, students and the general public had to wait in line for hours in the beginning of the pandemic, at-home test kits make it easy to diagnose for the novel coronavirus in less than 30 minutes.
September 02, 2021
digital government_shutterstock_1041144838 (1)
Sponsored
Vaccine Policies for Government Employees: Emerging Best Practices From What We Know So Far
Governments around the nation are working to design the best vaccine policies that keep both their employees and their residents safe. Although the latest data shows a variety of polarizing perspectives, there are clear emerging best practices that leading governments are following to put trust first: creating policies that are flexible and provide a range of options, and being in tune with the needs and sentiments of their employees so that they are able to be dynamic and accommodate the rapidly changing situation.
August 26, 2021
Tech Services
Sponsored
Transforming HHS with Whole Person Service
Service delivery and the individual experience within health and human services (HHS) is often very siloed and fragmented.
August 10, 2021
Healthcare and Medicine concept. Doctor
Sponsored
Pre-Medicare Retiree Health Care Solution
In this episode, Marianne Steger explains why health care for Pre-Medicare retirees and active employees just got easier.
07/09/2021
iThenticate governing.png
Sponsored
Upholding Integrity in Government Documentation
Government organizations around the world are experiencing the consequences of plagiarism firsthand. A simple mistake can lead to loss of reputation, loss of trust and even lawsuits. It’s important to avoid plagiarism at all costs, and government organizations are held to a particularly high standard. Fortunately, technological solutions such as iThenticate allow government organizations to avoid instances of text plagiarism in an efficient manner.
June 28, 2021
Deloitte_GPS Banner_1440x600.png
Sponsored
Government 2.0: How to Elevate the Online Citizen Experience
Creating meaningful citizen experiences in a post-COVID world requires embracing digital initiatives like secure and ethical data sharing, artificial intelligence and more.
June 18, 2021
City,Plan,Municipality,Community,Town,Management,Concept
Sponsored
What should municipalities prioritize to reach net-zero by 2050?
GHD identified four themes critical for municipalities to address to reach net-zero by 2050. Will you be ready?
May 12, 2021
GT_rev.svg
GOV_rev.svg
TW_rev.svg
NAV_rev.svg
EM_rev.svg
CDG_rev.svg
CDE_rev.svg