marriage equality
March 5, 2008
Marriage Equality Attracts Out-of-State Workforce
Massachusetts has a dubious reputation for losing talented workers to less pricey markets. But a trend that runs counter to the talent drain has emerged in the form of the state's controversial same-sex marriage law, a powerful lure for same-sex couples who want to live in a place where they can get married, gain legal rights and have access to spousal health benefits.February 27, 2008
NY Court Allows Same-Sex Divorce to Proceed
In what is believed to be a groundbreaking ruling a New York City judge says that the ruling by the state's highest court that found there is no constitutional right for same-sex marriage does not apply to divorce.February 22, 2008
NY Marriage Decision Appealed
Monroe County appealed a New York appellate court's unanimous decision recognizing a same-sex couple's Canadian marriage.February 20, 2008
CU Commission Report Cites Flaws in NJ Law
New Jersey's civil union lawcreates a second-class statusfor same-sex couples and is particularly vexing for people in the military, transgender people, the poor and minorities, according to a report issued on Tuesday by a commission set up to review the law.
February 19, 2008
NJ Gov Sees Significant Concerns With Civil Unions
Gov. Jon Corzine said today a new report issued on the one-year anniversary of civil unions raisessignificant concernsabout whether they give same-sex couples all the benefits and duties of marriage by another name.
February 18, 2008
Civil Union Law Fails to Achieve Goal of Equality
When civil unions became available one year ago, Gina Pastino of Upper Montclair was "thrilled" to form one with her partner of a dozen years, Naomi Cohen.February 16, 2008
NJ Report Says Civil Unions Create Second-Class Status
A commission established to study same-sex civil unions in New Jersey has found in its first report that civil unions create asecond-class statusfor gay couples, rather than giving them equality.
February 1, 2008
NY Must Recognize Same-sex Marriages
A New York appeals court has ruled that a same-sex couple's marriage in Canada should be recognized in New York.December 12, 2007
RI Court Rejects Same-Sex Divorce
Rhode Island's Supreme Court said Friday that a lesbian couple who married in Massachusetts cannot get divorced in their home state of Rhode Island.August 8, 2007
RI May Grant Same-Sex Divorce
A state court can grant two Providence women a divorce without answering the highly charged question of whether a same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts should be recognized in Rhode Island, Governor Carcieri and Attorney General Patrick C. Lynch agreed in legal briefs filed with the state Supreme Court yesterday.June 6, 2007
CA Assembly Passes Marriage Equality Bill
SACRAMENTO—A measure to legalize marriage for gay couples easily passed the California Assembly after a respectful debate Tuesday, in stark contrast to rancorous exchanges on the same issue two years ago. The legislation by Assemblyman Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) would...April 23, 2007
NY Gov. To Introduce Marriage Equality Bill
Gov. Eliot Spitzer will introduce a bill in the coming weeks to legalize same-sex marriage in New York.February 9, 2007
Civil Unions and Legal Confusion
Civil unions, domestic partnerships, and civil marriage carry different legal consequences when New Jersey's civil union law goes into effect on Feb. 19. Some will automatically trigger all the benefits the new law provides; others will not. It remains an open question whether New Jersey will recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions.November 15, 2006
NJ Women Named as Birth Parents
By GEOFF MULVIHILL, A.P. MOUNT LAUREL—In some of the first legal fallout from a state Supreme Court ruling that gives same-sex couples in New Jersey access to the same rights as married couples, two women will be listed on the...November 13, 2006
Support for Civil Unions Outweighs Marriage
TRENTON—Support for same-sex marriage in New Jersey was significantly less than that for civil unions in a poll taken shortly after the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that gay couples should have the same rights as married heterosexuals. A little...October 5, 2006
NJ Governor Won't Block Marriage Equality
New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine will not approve legislation banning gay marriage if the state's highest court rules that such unions are legal, a Corzine spokesman said Thursday.August 20, 2006
NY Couples Lose Rights Cases
Following the disappointing—and, frankly, insulting—loss in the marriage suit last month, same-sex couples in New York have been further denied rights by New York courts.August 13, 2006
WA Marriage Advocates Contemplate Appeal
Lawyers for the plaintiffs in the disappointing Washington Supreme Court denial of marriage equality are contemplating filing an appeal of that decision.July 26, 2006
WA Marriage Equality Case Fails
In a contentiously worded, 5-4 decision, Washington State's highest court refused to overturn the state's ban on marriage equality.July 6, 2006
NY High Court Rejects Marriage Equality
The New York Court of Appeals, that state's highest court, rejected full marriage equality in a 4-2 decision.July 3, 2006
PA Marriage Amendment Fails
The Pennsylvania Legislature recessed for the summer without passing an amendment that would have prohibited same-sex marriage and, perhaps, civil unions and domestic partnerships.June 22, 2006
PA Senate Approves Marriage Ban
By a 38-12 vote, the Pennsylvania Senate approved a proposed amendment to the state constitution that would ban recognition of same-sex marriage.June 14, 2006
PA Proposed Marriage Ban Amended
A proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution has been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee with an amendment that removed a ban on civil unions and domestic partnerships in the state.March 30, 2006
MA Upholds Out-of-State Marriage Ban
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upheld the 1913 statute that had been used to prevent out-of-state same-sex couples from marrying in Massachusetts.March 2, 2006
IRS Warns Same-Sex Couples Not to File Joint Returns
The IRS is warning same-sex couples that they cannot file joint federal tax returns, and attempts to do so can result in penalties and fines.February 15, 2006
Oral Arguments Webcast in Lewis v. Harris
Oral arguments in the Lewis v. Harris case are scheduled to begin at 10 am in the New Jersey Supreme Court. Arguments are scheduled to end before 11:30 am.January 26, 2006
PA State Senator Blasts Anti-Gay Amendment
Pennsylvania State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, said a state constitutional amendment being introduced today would harm same-sex families and unmarried opposite-sex couples, including many senior citizens. Sponsors of the amendment say it would prevent Pennsylvania judges from authorizing same-sex marriage.
January 24, 2006
PA House Introduces Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Boyd (R-Lancaster) and 88 co-sponsors reintroduced a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution limiting marriage to one man-one woman.
November 24, 2005
Ocean Co. Facing Further Criticism on DP Benefits
Gay and civil rights activists were joined by Sen. John Adler and Rep. Frank Pallone in a protest in Toms River following the county's refusal to allow Lt. Laurel Hester to name her partner as her pension beneficiary.
November 21, 2005
Princeton Students to Vote on Marriage Equality
Princeton University students will vote next month on a referendum to join with the Princeton Justice Project in filing an amicus brief in the New Jersey marriage suit.
September 24, 2005
WA State Wedding Preparations
Washington State marriage equality groups are making preparations in anticipation of that state's high court decision regarding marriage.
September 21, 2005
Corzine, Forrester: No Ban but No Marriage
Both candidates for New Jersey Governor recently made similar statements that they are opposed to same-sex marriage but oppose a marriage amendment.
September 20, 2005
CT AG: State May Recognize NJ Domestic Partners
Connecticut's Attorney General issued a legal opinion indicating today that the state will recognize New Jersey's domestic partnerships, to the extent that they do not conflict with that state's laws. The state will not, however, recognize same-sex marriages entered elsewhere.
September 13, 2005
NJ Supreme Court Among Three Considering Marriage
New Jersey is one of three states (including New York and Washington) in which the highest court will be considering the question of marriage equality.
September 7, 2005
NJ Marriage Plaintiff Dies
Marilyn Maneely, the long-time partner of Diane Marini, and one of the plaintiffs in the New Jersey marriage case, Lewis v. Davis, died today from complications of ALS.
September 7, 2005
CA Governor to Veto Marriage Equality
Governor Schwartzenegger, reversing prior statements, has indicated he will veto the marriage equality bill passed by the California Assembly.
September 7, 2005
CA Assembly Sends Marriage Equality Bill to Governor
The California Assembly passed a marriage equality bill yesterday by a narrow majority. The bill, which was previously passed by the Senate, will now go to the Governor's desk for his signature or veto.
September 2, 2005
CA Senate Passes Marriage Equality Bill
SACRAMENTO—The California Senate became the first legislative body in the U.S. to voluntarily pass a bill extending equal marriage rights to same-sex couples. AB 849, which would define marriage as being between two persons rather than a man and a...August 29, 2005
MA Marriage Amendment Vote Close
The Massachusets amendment replacing same-sex marriage with civil unions may not pass next month. Meanwhile, other opponents are working on a initiative to ban same-sex marriage and civil union.
August 28, 2005
Next NJ Governor Will Influence NJ Supreme Court
New Jersey's next governor will have a major influence on the direction of the New Jersey Supreme Court, which will directly affect the rights of the state's GLBT community, among others.
July 26, 2005
CA Groups Petition to Ban Marriage, Domestic Partnership
California's attorney general on Monday released a summary of a proposed constitutional amendment that highlights how the measure would strip same-sex couples of most domestic partner rights while also banning gay marriage.
July 20, 2005
Canada Approves Marriage Equality
The Canadian Senate has approved a bill legalizing same-sex marriages, making Canada the fourth country in the world to give gay couples the same rights as male-female partners, after Belgium, the Netherlands and Spain.
July 9, 2005
Another Canadian Province Adopts Marriage Equality
Canada's smallest province, Prince Edward Island, has become the ninth province to acknowledge same-sex marriage.
June 30, 2005
Spain Passes Marriage Equality Law
The Spanish Parliament legalized same-sex marriage Thursday, defying conservatives and clergy who opposed making traditionally Roman Catholic Spain the third country in the world to officially recognize same-sex unions.
June 29, 2005
Canadian House Passes Marriage Equality Law
The Liberals' controversial same-sex marriage legislation has passed final reading in the House of Commons, sailing through with a vote of 158 for and 133 against.
June 23, 2005
New Brunswick, Canada Court Grants Marriage Equality
Canada's Maritime province of New Brunswick has become the latest region where the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman has been struck down.
June 23, 2005
Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples
The New York State Bar Association's Special Committee to Study Issues Affecting Same Sex Couples has prepared a report that provides a detailed discussion and analysis of the legal and constitutional issues surrounding same-sex relationships, an examination of the approaches that have been used to address those issues, and a series of conclusions about ways in which the New York state Legislature might address this subject. (Originally issued in fall 2004)June 20, 2005
NJ Marriage Case Heading to Supreme Court
The fight to legalize gay marriage is headed to the highest court in New Jersey, where advocates say past decisions may give them an advantage.
June 18, 2005
NJ Minister Suspended Over Daughter's Wedding
Leaders of the Reformed Church in America suspended a New Jersey minister Friday night, ruling that he violated the Bible and the denomination's teachings when he officiated at his gay daughter's wedding.
June 16, 2005
Defense of Marriage Act Upheld in CA
A federal judge Thursday rejected an Orange County, California gay couple's bid to challenge the Federal Defense of Marriage Act as a means to get a marriage license.
June 14, 2005
NJ Appeals Court Rejects Marriage Equality
A state appeals panel ruled Tuesday that New Jersey's Constitution does not require the recognition of gay marriage.
June 3, 2005
CA. Marriage Equality Bill Defeated
The California Assembly narrowly defeated a bill that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state. The measure lost by a slim four votes in the 80 seat Assembly.
May 31, 2005
NY Mayor Faces Charges for Marrying Couples
New Paltz Mayor Jason West faces 24 misdemeanor counts of violating the state's domestic relations law by marrying couples without licenses in late February 2004.
May 27, 2005
Provincetown, Mass. Continues Issuing Out-of-state Licenses
One year into the implementation of the Goodridge decision, Provincetown continues to issue licenses to out-of-state same-sex couples intending to reside in Massachusetts.
May 27, 2005
Mass. Supreme Court Rejects Marriage Challenge
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court again rejected a conservative bid to return marriage inequality Massachusetts.
May 23, 2005
NY A.G. Voices Marriage Equality Support
New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer, the man considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for New York governor has reaffirmed his support for same-sex marriage.
May 20, 2005
New Marriage Equality Suit Filed in Canada
A gay couple in Canada's far north have filed suit accusing the Northwest Territories of violating Canada's Charter rights for refusing to grant them a marriage license.
May 20, 2005
Briefs Filed in NY Marriage Equality Appeal
Lawyers for 13 same-sex couples told a New York court Thursday that state law preventing same-sex couples from marrying violates the equal protection, due process and free expression provisions of the New York Constitution.
May 18, 2005
Rhode Island Considering Marriage Equality
The Rhode Island legislature is considering competing bills granting and denying marriage equality to same-sex couples.
May 17, 2005
Mass. Marriage Equality Anniversary
For the nearly 6,200 gay and lesbian couples who got married in Massachusetts since May 17, 2004, the best thing about the last 12 months has been that they still have their marriage licenses — and the rights that go with them.
May 12, 2005
Fed. Court Throws Out Nebraska Marriage Ban
A federal court in Nebraska struck down Nebraska's ban on same-sex marriage, saying the measure interfered not only with the rights of gay couples but also with those of foster parents, adopted children and people in a variety of other living arrangements.
May 4, 2005
DC GLBT Couples Can't File Jointly
WASHINGTON — The District of Columbia Tax and Revenue Office ruled Tuesday that same-sex couples married in Massachusetts could not file joint tax returns here, averting a showdown with conservatives in Congress who had said they might review the city's budget if the decision went the other way.
May 2, 2005
Mass. Supreme Court Hears Marriage Challenge
What could be the last gasp of gay marriage foes in Massachusetts was heard by the Supreme Judicial Court on Monday.
April 27, 2005
CA Marriage Equality Passes Key Committe Vote
SACRAMENTO — Legislation to allow same-sex marriage in California passed a key committee Tuesday with religious conservatives vowing to defeat it before it can become law.
April 25, 2005
Mass. Supreme Court to Hear Marriage Challenge
BOSTON -- The Supreme Judicial Court which paved the way for same-sex marriage in Massachusetts is preparing to hear a case to have its ruling set aside.
April 12, 2005
Mass. Legislature Considers Repeal of Non-Resident Marriage Ban
BOSTON — The Massachusetts legislature is considering the repeal of a 1913 law that bars issuing wedding licenses to people whose marriages would be illegal in the states where they reside.
April 11, 2005
State Laws Create Legal Problems for Same-Sex Couples
NEW YORK — When John Langan's longtime partner died in a New York hospital as a result of what Langan believes was medical malpractice, he did what many bereaved spouses might do: He sued for wrongful death.
April 10, 2005
Marriage Equality Does Not Extend to Taxes
NEW YORK — Married or single? For roughly 5,000 Massachusetts couples this year, deciding how to answer that question is both personally and politically troubling.
April 10, 2005
Some Pigs are More Equal
NEW YORK -- A Republican consultant who has run political campaigns for some of the most homophobic members of the GOP has married another man in a secret ceremony in Massachusetts it was reported Saturday.
April 7, 2005
NYC Extends Recognition to Same-Sex Relationships
NEW YORK — New York City will recognize same-sex marriages and civil unions - but only if they were performed outside the state in areas where they are already legal.
April 6, 2005
Support for Marriage Equality Increases in NY
NEW YORK — Support in the state of New York for marriage for same-sex couples increased over the past year according to a new poll.
April 6, 2005
NY State Bar Ass'n Approves Rights for GLBT Couples
ALBANY, NY -- On April 2, 2005 at the New York State Bar Assn's recent annual meeting, the NYSBA's House of Delegates approved a Resolution of the Special Committee to Study Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples.
April 1, 2005
CT Court Won't Anull Massachusetts Marriage
A Connecticut lesbian couple is in a legal catch 22 in an attempt to have the marriage the women had in Massachusetts annulled.
March 31, 2005
NY High Court to Wait on Marriage Equality Hearing
The New York Court of Appeals announced Thursday that it would not hear a lawsuit seeking marriage for same-sex couples before it is decided by a lower court.
March 14, 2005
CA Court Ruling Favors Marriage Equality
SAN FRANCISCO — In a victory for city officials here, a state judge ruled on Monday that California's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional, overturning a statewide proposition passed in 2000 that defined marriage as between a man and...March 9, 2005
Conn. GOP Pushing Marriage Inequality
HARTFORD, CONN — Connecticut voters would get a chance to cast a ballot on same-sex marriage, under a proposal from the Republican leader of the state Senate....March 2, 2005
Marriage Appeal Goes to Washington Supreme Court
OLYMPIA, WA — The Supreme Court of Washington next week will become the second state high court to take up the issue of same-sex marriage....February 24, 2005
Ithaca Marriage Suit Dismissed
ITHACA, NY — A New York State judge has dismissed a challenge by 25 same-sex couples to the state's ban on gay marriage....February 23, 2005
DP Bill, Marriage Ban Move Forward in NM
SANTA FE, NM — A Senate committee has approved two bills on same-sex relationships: One that would ban gay marriage and another that would allow domestic partnerships....February 23, 2005
Mass. Non-Resident Marriage Ban Challenged
SPRINGFIELD, MA — The Supreme Judicial Court has agreed to hear a challenge to the Massachusetts law being used to prevent same-sex couples from outside the state from marrying....February 9, 2005
NYC Appeals Marriage Ruling
NEW YORK, NY — Lawyers for the city of New York filed official notice Tuesday that it is appealing last week's ruling that struck down the state's prohibition on gay marriage....February 7, 2005
Mass. Voters Unlikely to Endorse Marriage Ban
BOSTON — The Massachusetts legislature will take up the second phase of a proposal to amend the state Constitution to ban gay marriage this year, but a new poll shows most voters want the effort abandoned....February 6, 2005
Bloomberg Appeals Marriage Ruling
NEW YORK CITY — Hopes of gay and lesbian couples to wed in New York next month were dashed Saturday by mayor Michael Bloomberg....February 4, 2005
NYC Judge Rules in Favor of Marriage Equality
NEW YORK CITY — A New York State court ruled Friday that same-sex couples must be allowed to marry....January 26, 2005
Right Threatens Bush Over Marriage Ban
WASHINGTON, DC — A coalition of the nation's largest right wing pro-family organizations is reportedly threatening to stall the White House's plans for Social Security reform unless the President becomes more active in the push for a constitutional amendment...January 25, 2005
Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment Reintroduced
Colorado Republican Wayne Allard reintroduced an amendment banning marriage equality in the U.S. Senate.
January 19, 2005
Fed. Court Rejects DOMA Challenge
TALLAHASEE, FL — A federal judge in Florida's central district has dismissed the first major challenge to the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In an 18-page decision, Judge James S. Moody ruled that two women with a Massachusetts...December 21, 2004
2,640 NJ Couples Register as DPs
In the five months since New Jersey's domestic partner law went into effect nearly 2,700 couples have registered. But, many others are waiting to see how a suit to gain full marriage rights plays out in the courts.December 8, 2004
Canadian Supreme Court OKs Marriage Equality
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada this morning gave its approval to draft legislation to make same-sex marriage legal throughout Canada....December 7, 2004
Arguments Heard in NJ Marriage Case
The state's refusal to allow same-sex couples to marry relegates them to second-class citizenship and should be overturned just as racial segregation was struck down in an earlier era, a gay- rights lawyer told a state appeals court yesterday....December 7, 2004
NY Court Rejects Marriage Equality Bid
ALBANY, NY — A New York trial court judge issued a decision Tuesday finding that the New York constitution allows the state to continue to exclude same-sex couples from marriage. The American Civil Liberties Union said it would appeal...December 6, 2004
Oral Arguments Awaited in NJ Marriage Suit
The effort to get same-sex marriage legalized in New Jersey resumes Tuesday when an appeals court hears arguments on behalf of gay couples who sued the state because they want to wed....December 1, 2004
Canadian Supreme Court to Rule on Marriage Equality
OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada announced Wednesday that it will deliver its ruling on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage on December 9....November 29, 2004
US Supreme Court Refuses to Hear Mass. Marriage Challenge
WASHINGTON - The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped a dispute over gay marriages, rejecting a challenge to the nation's only law sanctioning such unions....November 21, 2004
Mass. Marriage Update: Over 4,200 Couples Say "I Do"
One year after a historic court ruling that legalized gay marriage in Massachusetts, more than 4,266 same-sex unions have occurred in Massachusetts and people on both sides of the issue are preparing for a renewed effort for a constitutional...November 18, 2004
NYC Mayor Calls for Pension Plan Recognition of Same-Sex Partners
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg Wednesday called for the city's pension funds to treat municipal workers in same-sex marriages in the same way as those in traditional marriages....November 11, 2004
GLBT Rights Groups Cautiously Plan Court Battles
Fearful that aggressive action could backfire and generate public hostility, gay rights groups are planning to limit the scope of their legal challenges to the constitutional amendments banning gay marriage that were passed by 11 states last week....November 4, 2004
Canada May Be Haven for GLBT Couples
OTTAWA — The Canadian government is preparing for a gay migration from the US following Tuesday's election. Already Canadian consulates in Chicago and New York have been approached by dozens of same-sex couples enquiring about immigration....November 2, 2004
GLBT Election Defeats "Disheartening"
WASHINGTON — LGBT civil rights groups call Tuesday's election results in which 11 states passed constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage disheartening but vow they will not be deterred....November 2, 2004
Voters in 11 States Enshrine Marriage Inequality
WASHINGTON — In a major setback for same-sex marriage rights voters in 11 states where constitutional amendments were on the ballot passed the measure....October 31, 2004
Massachusetts Has Lowest Divorce Rate
BOSTON — The state with the lowest divorce rate in the nation is Massachusetts. At latest count it had a divorce rate of 2.4 per 1,000 population, while the rate for Texas was 4.1....October 25, 2004
US Attorney General Intervenes in CA Marriage Suit
A couple seeking to overturn government bans on same sex marriages will have to contend with the legal weight of the federal government. The U.S. Department of Justice has asked to intervene in a lawsuit filed by Christopher Hammer...October 22, 2004
Marriage Discrimination Hard on Older Couples
WASHINGTON — One out of every ten same-sex couples has at least one partner over the age of 65 and that is causing concerns about the economic well-being of gay partners....October 21, 2004
NY Judge Rejects Marriage Equality Challenge
NEW YORK CITY — A New York judge has upheld the state's domestic relations law that prevents the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples....October 20, 2004
PA Judge Dismisses Suit Against Gay Couple
DOYLESTOWN, PA — An attempt by a group of Pennsylvania legislators to intervene in a potential case involving same-sex marriage has been rejected by a judge....October 12, 2004
NY State Employees Win Recognition for Canadian Marriages
New York state employees who married their same-sex partners in Canada will have those marriages treated by the New York State and Local Retirement System in the same way as heterosexual marriages. It is the first time that married...October 9, 2004
PA Judge to Rule in New Hope Anti-Marriage Suit
NEW HOPE, PA — A judge has indicated that he likely will rule against a dozen state lawmakers who tried to strengthen the state's ban on same-sex marriages by suing two gay men who want to marry....October 7, 2004
NJ Supreme Court Rejects Direct Marriage Suit Appeal
The New Jersey Supreme Court announced today it is leaving a case involving the legality of same-sex marriages with an appeals court....September 24, 2004
Fifth Canadian Province Recognizes Same-Sex Marriage
HALIFAX — Nova Scotia this morning became the fifth Canadian province to legalize same-sex marriage....September 21, 2004
Direct Appeal Filed in NJ Marriage Suit
TRENTON - The New Jersey Supreme Court will be asked Wednesday to hear a challenge to the state's refusal to recognize same-sex marriage....September 16, 2004
Non-residents Challenge Massachusetts Marriage Ban
An appeal was filed today seeking to overturn a ruling that upheld the state's ban on granting marriage licenses to out-of-state gay couples....September 4, 2004
Second WA State Court Considers Marriage Ban
OLYMPIA — In defending Washington's ban on gay marriage before a judge here yesterday, the state appeared to concede that same-sex couples may be owed some kind of legal recognition....September 3, 2004
NJ AG Defends Marriage Ban
TRENTON, N.J. — The Attorney General's Office defended the state's ban on same-sex marriage in legal papers filed late Thursday, reiterating its position that New Jersey's Constitution does not permit gay unions and that the power to change the...September 1, 2004
WA Supreme Court to Hear Marriage Challenge
King County, Washington is appealing a ruling that same-sex couples should be issued marriage licenses to the state Supreme Court....August 26, 2004
CT Marriage Equality Suit Filed
A gay rights group that won a Massachusetts case legalizing gay marriage announced a similar suit in Connecticut on Wednesday, expanding its mission into a state its lead lawyer declared ripe to confront the issue....August 20, 2004
VA Marriage Equality Ban Impacts Right to Contract
Concerns are being raised that a new Virginia law affirming the state's prohibition against same-sex marriage could have widespread impact on contract law in the state....August 19, 2004
Fed. Bankruptcy Court Rejects Wash. DOMA Challenge
A federal judge in Tacoma, Washington, in the first challenge to the Federal Defense of Marriage Act, has ruled that the law is not unconstitutional....August 18, 2004
Mass. Court Rejects Non-resident Marriage Ban Challenge
A Massachusetts trial judge Wednesday declined immediate relief to eight out-of-state gay and lesbian couples who filed the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a 1913 law which prevents marriage licenses from being issued to couples from outside the state...August 18, 2004
Canadian Government Won't Oppose Marriage Equality
Following an embarrassing court ruling in the Yukon, the Canadian government has decided not to oppose same-sex marriage in any future court cases....August 12, 2004
CA Court Invalidates SF Marriages
The California Supreme Court Thursday ruled that San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom exceeded his authority when he allowed same-sex couples to obtain marriage licenses earlier this year....August 10, 2004
New DOMA Challenge Filed in Florida
A lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Federal Court in Tampa seeking to strike down the federal Defense of Marriage Act. The suit was filed on behalf of a Tampa Bay lesbian couple who married in Canada but whose marriage...July 22, 2004
House Passes Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
The Republican-led House voted Thursday to prevent federal courts from ordering states to recognize same-sex marriages sanctioned by other states....June 29, 2004
Fed. Court Rejects Mass. Marriage Appeal
A federal appeals court Tuesday rejected an attempt by conservative groups and state lawmakers to stop gay marriage in Massachusetts....June 22, 2004
Pa. Gay Couple Fights Back
A lawyer representing a Pennsylvania gay couple wants a lawsuit thrown out that seeks to have a court declare state's Defense of Marriage Act legal and constitutional....June 19, 2004
GOP Plans Showdown on Anti-Gay Marriage Amendment
The Senate Republican leadership is aiming for a mid-July vote on a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, forcing Democrats to take a stand on the controversial topic just before the party heads to Boston for its presidential...June 18, 2004
Mass. Lawsuit Challenges Non-resident Marriage Ban
Two lawsuits challenging a Massachusetts ban on out-of-state gay marriages were announced Thursday in Boston....June 11, 2004
NY Court Ruling Favors Marriage Equality
A town justice yesterday dismissed a criminal prosecution against the mayor of New Paltz, who married gay couples without marriage licenses, saying a state law banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional....June 7, 2004
Marriages Halted in New Paltz, NY
New Paltz, New York mayor Jason West was slapped with a permanent injunction Monday barring him from performing gay weddings....June 7, 2004
Liberty Counsel Again Trys to Stop Mass. Marriages
A federal appeals court in Boston Monday was asked to stop same-sex couples from marrying and to rule those marriages already performed to be null and void....June 1, 2004
More NY Couples Sue for Right to Marry
Twenty-five same-sex couples, with the support of the city of Ithaca, are suing the State of New York for the right to marry....May 26, 2004
Provincetown Halts Non-resident Marriages; Others Continue
Provincetown Wednesday put the brakes on issuing marriage licenses to gay couples from outside Massachusetts....May 25, 2004
Mass. Dissident Clerks Halt Out-of-State Weddings
The mayor of Somerville said he may challenge Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly's orders to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples from out of state, although he has temporarily suspended issuing the licenses....May 22, 2004
Mass. A.G. Orders Clerks to Stop Out-of-State Marriages
The attorney general of Massachusetts, Thomas F. Reilly, ordered officials in four communities on Friday to stop issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples from outside the state....May 21, 2004
Mass. Gov. Refers Out-of-State Licenses to A.G.
Governor Mitt Romney yesterday asked the state attorney general to stop municipal clerks from issuing marriage licenses to samesex couples from other states and said Massachusetts would refuse to officially record the licenses of those couples who do not...May 17, 2004
Mass. Gov. Opens New Marriage Attack
The Romney administration has demanded copies of all marriage applications issued to gay couples in Provincetown, Somerville, Springfield and Worcester — four municipalities that openly defied the governor's residency requirement for same-sex marriages....May 16, 2004
Pa. Couple Sued Over Marriage Challenge
A gay couple who were turned down for a marriage license in Bucks County are now being sued by a group of conservative lawmakers....May 14, 2004
US Supreme Court Refuses Marriage Stay
The Supreme Court refused Friday to block the nation's first state-sanctioned gay marriages from taking place in Massachusetts starting next week....May 14, 2004
Federal Appeals Court Rejects Marriage Stay
A federal appeals court on Friday denied a last-minute bid to block legal gay marriages from beginning on Monday, and conservative groups pledged to continue pressing it before the U.S. Supreme Court....May 14, 2004
Federal Court Rejects Massachusetts Marriage Ban
A federal judge Thursday rejected a last-minute bid by conservative groups to block the nation's first state-sanctioned gay marriages from taking place in Massachusetts on Monday....May 13, 2004
No Out-of-State Weddings in Boston
In a move that could thwart out-of-state gay couples who plan to get marriage licenses in Boston City Hall next week, city officials announced yesterday that they will not accept marriage applications from gay couples who live outside Massachusetts...May 13, 2004
Mass. Gov. Creates Temporary Marriage Impediment
BOSTON -- Having failed to prevail in the judicial arena on a profound question of equal rights, Governor Mitt Romney has been reduced to scoring a petty procedural victory over many same-sex couples planning to marry this month.
May 13, 2004
Mass. Governor's Aide Chides Defiant Clerks
BOSTON -- Governor Mitt Romney's top spokesman yesterday equated Provincetown's plans to marry out-of-state gay couples with marrying children, as rhetoric heated up over Romney's threat to take legal action if the town issues marriage licenses to gays who don't plan to live in Massachusetts.