1995 gay marriage

Timeline provided by Stateline. Hawaii Supreme Court rules the state must show a compelling reason to ban same-sex marriage and 1995 gay marriage a lower court to hear a case seeking the right of same-sex couples to marry. Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt R signs into law the first state Defense of Marriage statute, which stipulates that Utah does not have to recognize out-of-state marriages that violate state public policy.

Alaska Superior Court judge rules that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry but stays the decision pending appeals to the state Supreme Court. Hawaii voters approve a state constitutional amendment reserving the right to define marriage to the Legislature. Alaska voters approve a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Alaska Supreme Court rules that same-sex couples cannot seek the right to marry under the state constitution in light of the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. Vermont Supreme Court rules that the state Constitution guarantees same-sex couples the same rights to marriage as heterosexual couples.

However, the court leaves it up to the Legislature to decide how to provide marriage rights and benefits to same-sex couples. Vermont Gov. Howard Dean D signs a civil union bill, making Vermont the first state to legally recognize same-sex couples. Nebraska voters approve a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Seven same-sex Massachusetts couples file a lawsuit after being denied marriage licenses. In Goodridge et al. Department of Public Health, the couples seek the right to marry. Nevada voters give final approval to a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. Voters first approved the ban inbut state law requires a majority vote in two consecutive election years to amend the constitution.

New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey D signs a domestic partnership law granting same-sex couples certain rights, such as hospital visits. Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court reaffirms its decision and specifies that only marriage rights — not civil unions — would provide equal protection under the state constitution.

Massachusetts 1995 gay marriage holds a constitutional convention to consider amending the state constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman. The measure fails to pass. San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom authorizes city officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

Sandoval, N. New Paltz, N. February through March.

A Brief History of Civil Rights in the United States: The 1990s, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," and DOMA

President Bush announces support for federal constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage. California Supreme Court orders halt to San Francisco same-sex marriages. Massachusetts Legislature votes to amend the state constitution to ban same-sex marriage but allow civil unions.

Legislature must approve the measure again by before amendment can go to statewide vote. Massachusetts begins marrying same-sex couples. May August through November. Montana Supreme Court rules that the gay and lesbian partners of Montana University employees have the same right to health insurance benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.