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:
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:
Same-Sex Marriage Map
NOTE: Please zoom out to view Alaska and Hawaii
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Same-sex marriage legalized |
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Civil unions or domestic partnerships |
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Constitutional or statutory provisions prohibiting same-sex marriage |
State senators also approved a bill restricting abortions.
Pat McCrory won't sign a bill that would have allowed magistrates to opt out of performing weddings if they have religious objections.
In March, Gov. Pat McCrory voiced concerns about a bill to allow magistrates to opt out of performing marriages and said he won't sign it. He stopped short, however, of saying he would veto it. The governor can allow bills to become law without his signature.