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October
10, 2008
Connecticut
High Court Rules Gay Couples Can Wed
In a divided decision, Connecticut's Supreme Court ruled
Friday that gay couples have the right to marry, making it the
third state after Massachusetts and California to allow such unions.
June
18, 2008
Calif.
Gay Marriages Raise Legal Questions Nationwide
The laws governing marriage nationwide are a complicated
state-by-state patchwork, with little or no interstate recognition.
The recent ruling in California legalizing same-sex marriage adds
another layer of complexity to the legal landscape. Legal experts
examine these questions.
June
17, 2008
Same-Sex Couples Begin Marrying in California
Hundreds of gay and lesbian couples filled county clerk offices
across California Tuesday and exchanged marriage vows on the state's
first full day of legal same-sex nuptials. Spencer Michels reports
on the day and the legal battles ahead.
May
15, 2008
California's Top Court Overturns Gay Marriage Ban
The Supreme Court in California ruled Thursday that barring
lesbian and gay couples from marrying is unconstitutional, clearing
the way for the nation's most populous state to join Massachusetts
as the second state to allow same-sex marriages.
May 9, 2007
Oregon Legalizes Same-sex Civil Unions
Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed legislation Wednesday to allow "domestic partnerships" for gay and lesbian couples in the state starting Jan. 1. Lee Hochberg of Oregon Public Television reports on how the debate unfolded.
April
26, 2007
New
Hampshire Lawmakers Vote to Allow Civil Unions
The New Hampshire Senate voted Thursday to authorize civil
unions for gay couples, paving the way for the state to join nearly
a dozen others in offering domestic partnerships or other legal
protections to couples of the same sex.
January
2, 2007
Massachusetts
Lawmakers Vote to Allow Marriage Referendum
Lawmakers in Massachusetts voted Tuesday to allow a proposed
constitutional amendment, which would essentially block gay marriages,
to appear on the 2008 ballot.
October
25, 2006
New
Jersey High Court Clears Path for Gay Marriages
The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled Wednesday
that homosexuals are entitled to the same rights as heterosexuals,
but left it up to the state legislature to legalize same-sex unions.
June
5, 2006
President
Proposes Marriage Amendment
President Bush plans to meet with congressional leaders to
urge adoption of a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage
in the United States. The measure, which is not expected to pass
the Senate, is seen as an effort to mobilize support among Republicans
ahead of this year's elections. Analysts examine the politics
of the amendment fight.
March
30, 2006
Court
Rules Out-of-State Gay Couples May Not Marry in Massachusetts
Gay couples from states where same-sex marriage is banned
may not marry in Massachusetts, the state's highest court ruled
Thursday.
September
29, 2005
Schwarzenegger Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, as promised, on Thursday
vetoed a bill allowing same-sex marriages in the state, saying
the matter should be decided by voter referendum or by the courts.
Update:
California Legislature Approves Gay Marriages (9/7/05)
April
21, 2005
Connecticut
Approves Same-Sex Civil Unions
Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Wednesday
signed into law a bill approving same-sex civil unions with an
amendment that defines marriage as between a man and a woman.
Following
a background report, two analysts debate recent developments in
the issue and what they suggest about America's opinion on same-sex
marriage in this April 14 NewsHour report.
April
6, 2005
Kansas Adopts Ban on Gay Marriage
Voters in Kansas on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a state
constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Thirteen other
states passed similar amendments last year.
In
California, meanwhile, a state appeals court upheld a law giving
"domestic partners" similar rights to married couples,
ruling the law does not conflict with California's ban on gay
marriage.
March
14, 2005
California
Judge Rules Ban on Gay Marriage Unconstitutional
San Francisco County Superior Court Judge Richard Kramer ruled
Monday that California's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.
The
much anticipated ruling, which will likely be appealed to the
state's highest court, would make California the second state
in the United States to legalize gay marriage after Massachusetts.
Nov.
29, 2004
Supreme Court Lets Stand Massachusetts High Court Ruling on
Gay Marriages
The U.S. Supreme Court opted to stay out of the Massachusetts
gay marriage fight for now, deciding on Monday not to hear a challenge
to the state court's decision legalizing same-sex unions.
The
justices rejected efforts by those opposed to the state court's
ruling to consider their appeal, but offered no comment on the
reason for their decision.
This
is the second time the high court declined to intervene in the
Massachusetts dispute. Last May, justices refused to block clerks
from issuing the first marriage licenses.
Nov.
8, 2004
President to
Push Constitutional Ban on Gay Marriage After 11 States Approve
Measures
President Bush's chief political strategists said the
new administration will urge Congress to adopt a constitutional
amendment banning same-sex marriage. The decision came less than
a week after voters approved similar measures in 11 states on
Election Day.
Aug.
12, 2004
California
High Court Nullifies San Francisco Same-Sex Marriages
The California Supreme Court on Thursday nullified some
4,000 same-sex marriage licenses granted earlier this year in
San Francisco. The court ruled that the city's mayor, Gavin Newsom,
exceeded his powers by issuing the licenses.
Aug.
4, 2004
Missouri
Bans, While Washington Affirms Gay Marriages
Missouri voters Tuesday widely approved a constitutional
amendment banning gay marriage, while in Washington state, a judge
ruled Wednesday that same-sex couples may marry because prohibiting
them would violate their constitutional rights.
July
14, 2004
Amendment
Banning Gay Marriage Stalls in Senate
The U.S. Senate rejected a bid to amend the Constitution to
ban same-sex marriage, likely tabling the measure backed by President
Bush for the rest of this election year.Sens. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.,
and Rick Santorum, R-Pa., debate the proposed amendment.
May
21, 2004
Massachusetts
Moves to Stop Out-of-State Gay Marriages
The Massachusetts attorney general warned clerks on Friday in
four communities to stop granting marriage licenses to out-of-state
gay couples.
May
17, 2004
Gay Couples Marry
Throughout Massachusetts
Spencer Michels reports on a history-making day in Massachusetts,
where gay couples become the first in the nation to be married
in ceremonies recognized by their state.
May
13, 2004
Judge
Blocks Last-Minute Bid to Stop Gay Marriages in Massachusetts
Update: A federal judge Thursday rejected an 11th hour attempt
by conservative groups to prevent Massachusetts from granting
the first state-sanctioned gay marriage licenses beginning May
17.
April
30, 2004
Massachusetts Won't Marry Out-of-State Couples Without States'
Permission
Update: Governors and attorneys general across the country are
developing responses to a letter Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney
sent Thursday telling them that gay couples will only be allowed
to marry there if their home states grant him permission.
March
3, 2004
Two
Mayors Begin Issuing Marriage Licenses
The mayors of Portland, Ore., and Nyack, N.Y., said they would
begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Kwame Holman
reports on the recent controversy over same-sex marriage in America.
February
24, 2004
President
Bush Backs Amendment Banning Gay Marriage
President Bush announced he is in favor of amending the U.S. Constitution
to define marriage as a union between a man and woman, essentially
banning same-sex marriages. Gwen Ifill discusses the issue with
two constitutional scholars.
February
18, 2004
San
Francisco Grants Marriage Licenses to Gay Couples
San Francisco's City Hall spent Valentine's Day weekend granting
marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples, despite a California
state law forbidding same-sex marriage. Spencer Michels reports
on the rush to the altar and the legal challenges aimed at stopping
the same-sex marriage licenses from being recognized.
February
13, 2004
Two Perspectives on Gay Marriage
Legislators and courts in several states are debating whether
same-sex couples may legally marry. Ray Suarez gets two opinions
on the issue from Matt Daniels of the Alliance for Marriage and
Cheryl Jacques of the Human Rights Campaign.
December
4, 2003
A
Regional Look at the Gay Marriage Debate
Four editorial page editors discuss how the debate over gay marriage
is playing out across the country.
November
18, 2003
Massachusetts
Supreme Court Strikes Down Gay Marriage Ban
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court struck down a state ban
on same-sex marriage. Margaret Warner gets two views on the verdict
from Kevin Cathcart of Lambda Legal and Maggie Gallagher of the
Institute for Marriage and Public Policy.
July
31, 2003
Gay Marriage Debate Continues on Several Fronts
Experts discuss a proposed constitutional amendment defining marriage
as a union between a man and a woman, a recent statement by the
Catholic Church opposing the legalization of same-sex unions and
the challenges facing states as they consider the legal and moral
issues of gay marriage.
July
11, 2003
Massachusetts
Court Poised to Rule on Gay Marriage
A Massachusetts court will rule over the next few days in the
case of seven homosexual couples who have sued the state for the
right to legally marry. Betty Ann Bowser reports on the gay marriage
debate.
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