Gay marriage, state by state: Key rulings
As the Supreme Court hears oral arguments Tuesday on same-sex marriage, here's a rundown of key rulings in the 37 states where gay marriage is legal.
Massachusetts Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.
Connecticut Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage.
Iowa Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage.
Vermont Legislature overrides Gov. Jim Douglas's veto and approves same-sex marriage.
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New Hampshire Gov. John Lynch signs law legalizing gay marriage.
District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty signs law legalizing gay marriage.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs law legalizing same-sex marriage.
Voters approve constitutional amendments permitting gay marriage in Maine, Maryland and Washington State.
Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee signs same-sex marriage law.
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell signs same-sex marriage law.
Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton signs same-sex marriage law.
Supreme Court strikes down key section of the Defense of Marriage Act and dismisses challenge to Proposition 8, making same-sex marriage legal once again in California.
New Jersey Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage, and Gov. Chris Christie drops his appeal.
Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie signs same-sex marriage law.
Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn signs same-sex marriage law.
New Mexico Supreme Court legalizes gay marriage in every county in the state.
U.S. District Judge Michael McShane strikes down Oregon's same-sex marriage ban, and the state does not appeal.
U.S. District Judge John Jones strikes down Pennsylvania's gay marriage ban, and the state does not appeal.
Supreme Court refuses to hear state appeals from Utah, Oklahoma, Virginia, Indiana and Wisconsin, paving the way for gay marriage in six other states that fall within those federal circuits — Colorado, Kansas, North Carolina, South Carolina, West Virginia and Wyoming.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit strikes down gay marriage bans in Idaho and Nevada, paving the way for similar rulings in Alaska, Arizona and Montana.
Gay couples in Florida begin marrying after a stay on an August court decision expires.
U.S. District Judge Callie Granade strikes down Alabama's gay marriage ban but blocks the ruling from taking effect for weeks. The state Supreme Court has ordered counties to withhold marriage licenses.
Contributing: Richard Wolf, USA TODAY. Additional research from Freedom to Marry.
