LOCALIZE IT: It’s been 10 years since the US Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide
By GEOFF MULVIHILL
Associated Press
EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS
A Supreme Court ruling 10 years ago this month, on June 26, 2015, legalized same-sex marriage across the U.S. It capped more than 15 years of political and legal twists and turns for marriage in the states, during which various states offered domestic partnerships or civil unions that offered some of the legal protections of marriage, and some had gone back and forth on what was recognized.
By the time the top court ruled in the case known as Obergefell v. Hodges, most states were already recognizing same-sex marriage because of state laws, constitutional amendments and court rulings.
Many states still have unenforceable bans in their laws or constitutions.
Some states have moved to strengthen the legal protections in case Obergefell is ever overturned — and some officials want the court to undo its ruling.
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STATES WHERE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WAS NOT LEGAL UNTIL THE COURT RULING
— Arkansas
— Georgia
— Kentucky
— Louisiana
— Michigan
— Mississippi
— Missouri
— Nebraska
— Ohio
— North Dakota
— South Dakota
— Tennessee
— Texas
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STATES THAT HAVE LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR SAME-SEX MARRIAGE OR DON’T BAN IT
— California
— Colorado
— Connecticut
— Delaware
— Illinois
— Maine
— Maryland
— Massachusetts
— Minnesota
— Nevada
— New Hampshire
— New Jersey
— New Mexico
— New York
— Rhode Island
— Vermont
— Washington
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STATES WITH A RESOLUTION INTRODUCED THIS YEAR TO URGE SUPREME COURT TO REVERSE OBERGEFELL
— Idaho
— Iowa
— Michigan
— Mississippi
— Montana
— North Dakota
— Oklahoma
— South Dakota
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REPORTING ANGLES
— Talk to couples in your state about what the legal right to marriage has changed for them.
— Use vital records to find how many same-sex marriages have been entered into in your state.
— Ask legal experts, advocates and legislative leaders what would happen in your state if Obergefell were to be overturned.
— Talk to conservative groups about whether they’re pushing the Supreme Court to overturn Obergefell.
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