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May 10, 2007 2:27 pm US/Central
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Civil Unions & Same-Sex Marriage State By State
List compiled by WCBS-TV, New York
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Last month, New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer proposed legislation that would make his state the second to allow same-sex marriage, along with Massachusetts, which has allowed it since 2004.
A few months before that, New Jersey became the fourth state to grant at least an overwhelming majority of spousal-like benefits to same-sex couples, joining Connecticut and Vermont -- which allow civil unions -- and California, which has a similar domestic-partner law.
But at the same time, many groups push for a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage nationwide -- a move which President Bush has said he supports. In many recent elections, states have placed amendments banning same-sex marriage in their state constitutions.
In Illinois, a House Committee passed a bill that would allow same-sex civil unions last March, but a push for same-sex marriage has yet to materialize. State Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago) introduced a bill that would allow gay marriage earlier this year, but later abandoned it.
But religious activists tried and failed to get a referendum asking for a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage on the ballot last November.
Here is a state-by-state rundown of same-sex relationship recognition laws and amendments.
Alabama* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Alaska* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Arizona* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Arkansas* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
California* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
* Statute recognizing same-sex domestic partnerships, granting almost all spousal-like privileges to same-sex couples within the state.
Colorado* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Connecticut* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage from other states are not recognized.
* Statute recognizing same-sex civil unions, granting spousal-like privileges to same-sex couples within the state.
Delaware* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
District of Columbia* No explicit provision prohibiting marriages between individuals of the same sex.
* Statute providing some spousal-like benefits to same-sex couples.
Florida* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Georgia* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Hawaii* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
* Statute providing some spousal-like benefits to same-sex couples.
Idaho* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Illinois* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
* Bill that would allow same-sex civil unions has passed out of a state House of Representatives committee.
Indiana* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Iowa* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Kansas* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Kentucky* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Louisiana* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Maine* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
* Statute providing some spousal-like benefits to same-sex couples.
Maryland* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
Massachusetts* Statute allowing local officials to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Michigan* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Minnesota* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Mississippi* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Missouri* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Montana* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Nebraska* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.
Nevada* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.
New Hampshire* In April 2007, the state legislature approved a measure allowing same-sex civil unions granting virtually all the rights of marriage. Gov. John Lynch said he would sign it.
* Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
New Jersey* No explicit statute or amendment prohibiting marriages between individuals of the same sex.
* Statute recognizing same-sex civil unions, granting spousal-like privileges to same-sex couples within the state.
New Mexico* No explicit statute or amendment prohibiting marriages between individuals of the same sex.
New York* No explicit statute or amendment prohibiting marriages between individuals of the same sex.
* In April 2007, Gov. Eliot Spitzer, a Democrat, proposed a law that would make New York only the second state to allow same-sex marriage. State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, a Republican, immediately announced his opposition.
North Carolina* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
North Dakota* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Ohio* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Oklahoma* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Oregon* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
* On May 9, 2007, Gov. Ted Kulongoski signed legislation creating "domestic partnerships" for gays and lesbians in the state starting Jan. 1, 2008. He also signed a bill that outlaws discrimination based on sexual orientation, effective the same date. The domestic partnership law enables same-sex couples to enter into contractual relationships that carry many of the benefits offered to married couples. The other law bans discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people in employment, housing and access to public accommodations.
Pennsylvania* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Rhode Island* No explicit statute or amendment prohibiting marriages between individuals of the same sex.
South Carolina* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
South Dakota* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Tennessee* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Texas* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Utah* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Vermont* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage from other states are not recognized.
* Statute recognizing same-sex civil unions, granting spousal-like privileges to same-sex couples within the state.
Virginia* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Washington* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage from other states are not recognized.
West Virginia* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Same-sex marriage from other states are not recognized.
Wisconsin* Constitutional amendment restricting marriage to one man and one woman. Its language does, or may, affect other legal relationships, such as civil unions or domestic partnerships. Same-sex marriages from other states are not recognized.
Wyoming* Statute restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
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