The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (18 page)

September 1996:
In anticipation of Hawaii's decision to legalize same-gender marriage, the U.S. Congress passes and President Clinton signs the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). This defines marriage as the union of a man and a woman and ensures that other states will not have to recognize same-sex marriages.

April 17, 1997:
The Hawaii House and Senate approve a plan to let voters decide on an amendment to ban same-sex marriages, but give gay and lesbian couples some rights and benefits available to married couples.

January 1, 1998:
A registered-partner measure granting gay couples every right of matrimony except access to adoption and artificial insemination goes into effect in the Netherlands.

February 12, 1998:
First National Freedom to Marry Day. Lesbians, gay men, and straight people participate in events across the country calling for an end to discrimination in civil marriage.

July 2000:
Vermont becomes the first state to offer civil unions for same-sex couples.

April 1, 2001:
The Netherlands becomes the first country to grant full marriage rights to same-sex couples.

2003:
Belgium and three Canadian provinces extend marriage rights to same-sex couples. Governor Gray Davis signs legislation that extends to registered domestic partners nearly all the same rights and responsibilities provided to different-sex spouses under California law.

February 12, 2004:
During what becomes known as “the Winter of Love,” Mayor Gavin Newsom orders the San Francisco county clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Before being halted by the California Supreme Court on March 11, about four thousand gay and lesbian couples are legally married, among them Rosie O'Donnell and Kelli Carpenter. These certificates are later nullified by the California Supreme Court.

May 17, 2004:
Massachusetts becomes the first state in the United States to legally perform same-sex marriages.

April 7, 2005:
Although affirming that “marriage is between a man and woman,” the state of Connecticut passes legislation that legalizes same-sex civil unions.

July 3, 2005:
The same-sex marriage bill takes effect in Spain.

July 20, 2005:
The Civil Marriage Act, legalizing same-sex unions, becomes law in Canada.