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Same-Sex Marriage in the U.S.

A Pew Forum research package provides an overview of the same-sex marriage debate and examines public opinion and religious groups' views on the issue as well as exploring the legal angles.

 

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GRAPHIC June 6, 2013
Same-Sex Marriage State-by-State
To date, courts, legislatures and voters in 12 states and the District of Columbia have legalized gay marriage, while 30 states have amended their constitutions to ban gay marriage. This interactive shows the change in each state's policy over time.
ANALYSIS April 25, 2013
Rhode Island on Verge of Becoming 10th State to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
On April 24, Rhode Island took a step toward becoming the 10th U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage when its Senate approved a measure that would grant gays and lesbians the right to wed. Our analysis also discusses four other states that are considering proposals related to same-sex marriage.
GRAPHIC March 20, 2013
Graphics Slideshow: Changing Attitudes on Gay Marriage
A series of graphics shows how public opinion toward same-sex marriage has changed in Pew Research Center polls since 2001. See how much opinion varies by generation, religious group, gender, race and political party.
LEGAL REPORT March 20, 2013
High Court to Hear Same-Sex Marriage Cases
The U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear oral arguments in a pair of potentially groundbreaking same-sex marriage cases.
ANALYSIS February 22, 2013
Obama Administration Weighs In on Gay Marriage Case
The Obama administration has submitted a “friend-of-the-court” brief on the legal challenge to California’s gay marriage ban, which will be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court on March 26.
ANALYSIS February 14, 2013
Illinois Senate Approves Same-Sex Marriage Bill
On Feb. 14, the Illinois Senate passed a measure that would legalize same-sex marriage in the state. Nine states and the District of Columbia already allow gays and lesbians to marry. And the U.S. public's support for same-sex marriage has been on the rise.
ANALYSIS February 8, 2013
Gay Marriage Around the World
Updated May 20, 2013. A fact sheet provides an overview of the situation in the nations where same-sex marriage is legal nationwide as well as countries that allow it in certain jurisdictions.
ANALYSIS December 7, 2012
Religious Groups' Official Positions on Same-Sex Marriage
In recent years, same-sex marriage has been a contentious subject within many religious groups in the U.S. Here is an overview of where 16 religious groups stand on this issue.  
LEGAL REPORT December 7, 2012
Same-Sex Marriage in the Courts
The U.S. Supreme Court stepped squarely into the same-sex marriage debate when it agreed on Dec. 7, 2012, to review two important lower court decisions involving gay marriage. Find out what that may mean for the future of same-sex marriage in the U.S.
ANALYSIS December 7, 2012
Overview of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States
Across the U.S., a fierce debate is taking place between those who hope all gays and lesbians will soon have the right to marry and those who believe that same-sex marriage is helping to undermine heterosexual marriage. Read about the history and current status of the same-sex marriage debate.
GRAPHIC October 10, 2012
Voters in Four States to Address Same-Sex Marriage in November
Keeping track of the legal status of same-sex marriage across the country can be difficult. As voters in Maine, Maryland, Minnesota and Washington state prepare to address the issue in November, this map illustrates the situation in all 50 states.
POLL July 31, 2012
Two-Thirds of Democrats Now Support Gay Marriage
Reports that the Democratic Party may add support for gay marriage to its party platform are in keeping with a significant shift of opinion on this issue among Democrats nationwide. A new report finds that support for same-sex marriage among Democrats has jumped from 50% in 2008 to 65% today.
ANALYSIS February 7, 2012
Religion and Attitudes Toward Same-Sex Marriage
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Feb. 7 that a 2008 California referendum banning same-sex marriage is unconstitutional. According to the Pew Research Center’s latest polling on the issue, support for same-sex marriage varies by religious group.
POLL November 29, 2010
Most Continue to Favor Gays Serving Openly in Military
As the Pentagon prepares to release its highly anticipated survey of military personnel about the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, a Pew Research Center survey finds that most Americans (58%) say they favor allowing homosexuals to serve openly in the armed forces.
LEGAL REPORT November 22, 2010
Proposition 8 on Trial: A Federal Court of Appeals Takes Up California’s Gay Marriage Ban
On Dec. 6, a federal appeals court in San Francisco will hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8, a voter-approved 2008 California ballot initiative that banned same-sex marriage in the state.
POLL October 6, 2010
Support For Same-Sex Marriage Edges Upward
Polls this year have found that more Americans favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry legally than did so just last year.
POLL September 17, 2010
Few Say Religion Shapes Immigration, Environment Views
Many Americans continue to say their religious beliefs have been highly influential in shaping their views about social issues, including abortion and same-sex marriage. But far fewer cite religion as a top influence on their opinions about several other social and political issues, including how the government should deal with immigration, the environment and poverty.
LEGAL REPORT August 4, 2010
Federal Court Strikes Down Calif. Same-Sex Marriage Ban
A federal district court judge struck down California’s ban on gay marriage, ruling that the prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution.
INTERVIEW June 3, 2010
Tensions Between Rights of Conscience and Civil Rights
Until recently, the debate over “conscience protections” for health care workers centered largely on abortion and birth control. But in the past few years, new cases have emerged that have expanded the debate and raised questions about the tensions between individuals’ rights of conscience and the need to protect certain groups against discrimination, notably gays and lesbians.
POLL October 9, 2009
Majority Continues To Support Civil Unions
A clear majority of Americans (57%) favor allowing gay and lesbian couples to enter into civil unions. This finding marks a slight uptick in support for civil unions and appears to continue a significant long-term trend.
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