Canada's House of Commons passed landmark legislation Tuesday to legalize gay marriage, granting same-sex couples legal rights equal to those in traditional unions between a man and a woman. 
The bill passed as expected, despite opposition from Conservatives and religious leaders. The legislation drafted by Prime Minister Paul Martina's minority Liberal Party government was also expected to easily pass the Senate and become federal law by the end of July.Although gay marriage is already legal in seven provinces, the bill now grants all same-sex couples in Canada the same legal rights as those in traditional union between a man and a woman. Click for more
Same-sex marriage was legally recognized in the provinces and territories as of the following dates:
- 10 June 2003: Ontario
- 8 July 2003: British Columbia
- 16 March 2004: Quebec
- 14 July 2004: Yukon territory
- 16 September 2004: Maritoba
- 24 September 2004: Nova Scotia
- 5 November 2004: Saskatchewab
- 21 December 2004: Newfoundland and Labrador
- 23 June 2005: New Brunswick
- 20 July 2005:
- Alberta
- Prince Edward Island
- Nunavut territory
- Northwest territories
United States
Alabama: According to Section 30-1-19 aka The Alabama Marriage Protection Act, "A marriage contracted between individuals of the same sex is invalid in this state ... The State of Alabama shall not recognize as valid any marriage of parties of the same sex that occurred or was alleged to have occurred as a result of the law of any jurisdiction regardless of whether a marriage license was issued."Alaska: Has official registry for same-sex couples, DOMA enacted into state law, and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Arizona: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Arkansas: Has law banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
California: Has official registry for same-sex couples and law banning same-sex marriage. Although on 5/15/08 the California Supreme Court ruled that "the right to marry in California extends equally to all, gay and straight alike," Proposition 8 banning gay marriage was approved by voters in November 2008. Although Prop 8 was overturned in August 2010 by U.S. District Court Judge Vaughn Walker, his decision was immediately appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. Colorado: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Connecticut: Same-sex marriages became legal in Connecticut in November 2008.
Delaware: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
District of Columbia: Same-sex marriages became legal in DC in March 2010. It also has an official registry for same-sex couples and recognizes gay marriages performed in other states.
Florida: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Georgia: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Hawaii: Has constitutional law banning same-sex marriages. Also has domestic-partnership laws that provide certain legal rights to gay relationships.
Idaho: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Illinois: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages. Effective June 2011, same-sex couples will have spousal rights through civil unions. The spousal rights include "such things as hospital visitation, making health-care decisions, and matters concerning probate of a partner's estate."
Indiana: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Iowa: Yes, same-sex marriages became legal in April 2009.
Kansas: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Kentucky: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Louisiana: Has both a state law (DOMA) and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.Maine: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages but also offers some legal protection to couples registered as domestic partners.
Maryland: Maryland has a 33-year-old state law defining marriage as a union between a man and woman. It was upheld by the Maryland Court of appeals in September 2007.
Massachusetts: Has court ruling that strikes down any ban on same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriages are legal in Massachusetts.
Michigan: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Minnesota: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Mississippi: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Missouri: Has both a law (DOMA) and a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.
Montana: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as the union of a man and a woman.
Nebraska: Has constitutional law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.Nevada: Has constitutional law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
New Hampshire: Effective January 1, 2010, same-sex marriages were allowed in New Hampshire.
New Jersey: Does not have law banning same-sex marriages. Same-sex civil unions are allowed in New Jersey.
New Mexico: Does not have law banning same-sex marriages.
New York: The New York legislature passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in New York. Governor Cuomo signed the bill into law on June 24, 2011.
North Carolina: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
North Dakota: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Ohio: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between one man and one woman.
Oklahoma: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Oregon: In November, 2004, voters passed Measure 36 defining marriage as between one man and one woman. This puts the marriages in Multnomah County of 2,961 gay couples into limbo. In the past, the court had issued requirements that gay-marriage licenses be registered.As of January 1, 2008, residents of Oregon can register for domestic partnerships and receive all the rights, benefits, privileges and immunities that are given to married couples in Oregon.
Oregon Domestic Partnership Information
Pennsylvania: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Rhode Island: Effective July 2011, same-sex civil unions are allowed in Rhode Island. The state does not have a law banning same-sex marriages.
South Carolina: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
South Dakota: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.Tennessee: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Texas: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Utah: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, and in November, 2004, passed a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
Vermont: Has law that legalizes and recognizes same-sex civil unions. Effective September 1, 2009.
Virginia: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Washington: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages, but does give gay couples some rights normally given to married couples.
West Virginia: Has law (DOMA) banning same-sex marriages.
Wisconsin: Has law banning same-sex marriages.
Wyoming: Has law banning same-sex marriages.
For more information on each of the state laws, feel free to click on the link - the name of the state.