Protecting Same-Sex Relationships

Protections in Your State

Overview: Status of Same-Sex Relationships Nationwide

Why Marriage Matters

Five Key Reasons for Marriage Equality

Denying Access to Marriage Harms Families

Denying Access to Marriage Harms Families: Social Security

Why Civil Unions Are Not Enough

Civil Unions are Not Enough: Six Key Reasons Why

Marriage By No Other Name: Why The “M” Word Matters

Rutgers Law Review, Lewis v. Harris: Essay On a Settled Question and an Open Question
[Including Section on Why Civil Unions are Unconstitutional]

The Connection to the Transgender Community

Transgender People and Marriage

Additional Resources

Status of Marriage Equality Worldwide

Freedom of Religion and Freedom from Discrimination, Including the Right to Marry for Same-Sex Couples

The IRS Applies "Income-Splitting" to California's Registered Domestic Partners and Same-Sex Spouses (and Now RDPs in Washington and Nevada, too!)

Will Marriage Help Us Get Spousal Health Insurance?

The Respect for Marriage Act of 2011

Traveling to Another State or Country to Marry?

Text of State Constitutional Amendments and Revisions Targeting Same-Sex Relationships (as of November 2008)

Selected State Laws Permitting Designation of Individuals to Make Decisions or Receive Benefits, Without Recognition of a Relationship (as of November 2007)

Examples of States that Provide Benefits to Same-Sex Partners of State Employees (as of October 2008)

Legal Recognition of Same-Sex Couples’ Marriages, Civil Unions & Domestic Partnerships (as of November 2008)

State-Specific Resources

California: Marriage Watch: California—FAQ

Hawaii: Registering as Reciprocal Beneficiaries: Here’s how it works, what it means and how to do it!

Hawaii: Hawai`i’s 2011 Civil Unions Bills (FAQs)

Illinois: Illinois Civil Union Law, Frequently Asked Questions

Iowa: Iowa Marriage FAQ

Maryland: Birth Certificates and Second-Parent Adoptions for Married Same-Sex Couples in Maryland

New Jersey: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Civil Unions

New York: Your Government Respects Your Marriage: Developments in New York State Agency Recognition of Same-Sex Couples' Out-of-State Marriages
Marriage Equality for Same-Sex Couples in New York
New York State Marriage Equality Act: Frequently Asked Questions for LGBT Couples and Families with Low or No Income

Oregon: Information about Registered Domestic Partnerships

Washington: Brief Overview about Domestic Partnerships | Detailed Look