Equal Marriage Overview
April 7, 2007: The Boston Globe just published this helpful overview of marriage rights in America’s states.
Massachusetts is the only state that recognizes same-sex marriages, the result of a 2003 ruling by its Supreme Judicial Court.
Three other states — Vermont, Connecticut and New Jersey — have civil unions that extend marriage-like rights to same-sex couples.
California, Hawaii and Maine have granted various spousal rights to same-sex couples registered as domestic partners.
According to the Human Rights Campaign, all but five states — Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Rhode Island — have adopted constitutional amendments or statutes banning gay marriage. New Hampshire’s ban is statutory.
The federal government does not recognize same-sex marriages, whether performed in Massachusetts or abroad. Congress has twice failed to approve a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban gay marriage nationwide
The amount of states that have anti-equality statutes and amendments is depressing and shameful, but the fact that any state allows and recognizes some kind of same sex partnership, be it marriage or civil union, is a huge step forward from where we were just five years ago.
So, rejoice! And work hard to make the world a more equal place for our children.