A Look at Places That Grant Rights to Same-Sex Couples

[rodbarnett]

No U.S. state yet recognizes same-sex marriages. However, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled last year that the state constitution did not bar such marriages and ordered the state to begin recognizing them as of May 17.
Among other states, Vermont has gone furthest by instituting civil unions, which, at the state level, extend marriage-like rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples.

California, Hawaii and New Jersey also grant various state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples registered as domestic partners.

In San Francisco, more than 3,200 same-sex couples have been married since Mayor Gavin Newsom decided to give out the licenses Feb. 12. However, state officials are moving to overturn those marriages

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