Homosexuality and bisexuality

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Same-sex marriages (SSM), civil unions,
domestic partnerships & other human rights issues.
The most controversial religious conflict in the U.S.

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We use the acronym "SSM" throughout this section to represent "same-sex marriage"
We use the acronym "LGBT" to refer to lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgender persons and transsexuals.

Current really "hot topics" on same-sex marriage (SSM):

SSM appears to be the most prominent religious conflict in the U.S. today, surpassing even abortion access. Here are shortcut links to the most recent developments:

• 2013: Predictions for the future of same-sex marriage in the U.S.
  
  
• 2013-JUN: The U.S. Supreme Court issues rulings on:
  
  
  • Proposition 8 in California
    
    
  • The federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

• 2011 to now: Events involving same-sex marriage (SSM), LGBT equality etc, by month

• 2004 to now:

  • SSM in individual states and DC

  • SSM in other countries

Worldwide SSM status as of 2013-APR:

The redefinition of marriage to include loving, committed same-sex couples is a major decision being made by a growing and accelerating number states in the U.S. and in other countries.

As of 2013-JUN-01, 13 countries have legalized SSM. The latest is Brazil whose National Council of Justice ruled that notaries cannot refuse to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies. France achieved marriage equality on 2013-MAY-17. The governments of New Zealand & Uruguay have recently approved bills to legalize SSM. Rhode Island, Delaware, and Minnesota were the most recent U.S. states to legalize SSM. Illinois may be the next one; it will be decided in November. There is currently a great deal of activity to legalize SSM in all predominately English-speaking countries. Chile may be the next South American country to legalize SSM.
As a result of a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court, California became the most recent state to allow same-sex couples to marry the U.S.

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The countries that do not yet allow same-sex marriages are outlined shown in gray, but are missing in some browsers. Sorry about that.

Since the map was made:

• Brazil has legalized same-sex marriages, making such marriages available almost everywhere throughout the Western Hemisphere and western Europe.
  
  
• A SSM bill has been passed by both Houses of the UK Parliament. However, minor differences in the two versions have to be harmonized before the bill receives royal assent.

Aspects of same-sex marriage (SSM) discussed in this section:

SSM is very controversial.

In the U.S.:

• As of 2013-JUN-30: SSM has been legalized in 13 states [CA, CT, DE, IA, MA, MD, ME, MN, NY, NH, RI, VT, WA] and the District of Columbia. About 30% of Americans live in a place where same-sex couples can marry. Same-sex marriage (SSM) is forbidden by state constitutional amendments in 30 states and by state laws only in 6 states [HI, IN, IL, PA,WV, WY]. The state Constitution and marriage laws in New Mexico are silent on the issue. However, for no obvious reason, the state does not allow SSMs.
  
  
• Prohibiting same-sex marriage seems to have assumed greater importance recently among religious and social conservatives than even restricting women's access to abortion. Part of the opposition is due to beliefs promoted by some conservative faith groups about the nature of sexual orientation. Some common beliefs are:
  
  
  • That everyone is born heterosexual but that some people choose to become gay or lesbian;
    
    
  • That homosexuality is an addiction similar to drug dependence or alcoholism.
    
    
  • That adults who engage in same-gender sexual activity can change through prayer and therapy to become heterosexual;
    
    
  • That abusive pedophilia -- adults sexually molesting pre-pubertal children -- is much more common among gays and lesbians than among heterosexuals.

All of the above are denied by numerous professional mental health organizations like the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association, etc. and by human sexuality researchers. Unfortunately, little or no dialogue is occurring between these associations and faith groups to resolve their differences. They remain far apart on fundamental understanding of sexual orientation.

Some additional beliefs found among some conservative faith groups are:

• That all persons who engage in same-gender sexual activity will spend eternity after death in Hell. This belief often causes great emotional pain to parents of lesbians, gays, and bisexuals.
  
  
• That homosexual behavior is hated by God.
  
  
• That if same-sex marriage becomes more common in the U.S. that God will retaliate at some point by causing one or more horrendous natural disasters as he did at Sodom and Gomorrah, and later during the time of Noah, with great loss of life. ₂ Fear of God's punishment is a main motivator among many religious conservatives to strongly oppose SSM.
  

• Defining eligibility for marriage in the U.S. is done on a state-by-state basis. As of the end of 2013-JAN, SSM is currently available in DC and 13 states. It was made available in Maine, Maryland, and Washington State by referendums passed on Election Day in 2012-NOV. It was made available in Rhode Island, Delaware and Minnesota in early MAY.
  
  
• Polls show that most Americans favor legalizing SSM. Support is increasing, and opposition is dropping, each by 1 to 2 percentage points/year.
  
  
• Previous to 2012, referendums in two states terminated SSMs: California in 2008 and Maine in 2009. These votes killed SSMs with about a 6 percentage point margin. The most recent referendums on SSM were held on 2012-NOV-06 to restore SSM in Maine, and legalize SSM in Maryland, and Washington State. All three states legalized SSM with about a 5 percentage point margin. Overall gain in margin over four years was about 11 percentage points.
  
  
• The movement towards equal rights and benefits for same-sex couples appears to be accelerating. 

Elsewhere in the world, the most recent governments to pass SSM legislation were France and New Zealand. The next country to legalize SSM is expected to be England and Wales or Scotland.

Topics covered in this section:

	Introductory material: Background material:       <<< Please read some of these essays first! Past marriage trends & changes worldwide, from biblical times to now.   Marriage as a human right If you approve of same-sex marriage (SSM), study this chart. If you don't, then study this chart, unless you are easily offended Is same-sex marriage a good or bad idea? The pros and cons considered Why are some individuals and groups opposed to same-sex marriage while others favor allowing it? History and current status of SSM and civil unions: 2013-MAR: Graphical presentation of public opinion about SSM in the U.S. Brief timelines of SSM/civil union developments: From 2001 to 2004 Snapshot in mid-2005 From 2005 to 2008 From 2009 to now Detailed description of developments, mainly in the U.S.: Current status: in the U.S., Canada, South America, Europe, etc. as of 2013-APR Recent major developments in same-sex marriage, mainly in North America Expected near-term SSM activity in North America -- constitutional amendments, citizen initiatives, etc. Current SSM status outside the U.S.   Strategy. Our predictions for the future of SSM in the U.S. Links to resources. SSM in Canada: an overview 2012 platforms by the National Democratic and Republican parties concerning SSM: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 (See also, platforms on abortion) Harms resulting from: The denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples Same-sex marriage itself according to some conservatives   Health benefits resulting from SSM Quotations showing the diversity of beliefs about SSM
	Additional material: Changes, including re-definitions, of marriages since before biblical times Why are couples not permitted to marry? The battle over interracial marriage in the U.S. Part 1   Part 2 Why do some same-sex couples want to marry? Disagreements over whether same-sex marriage should be permitted Analysis of Family Research Council`s stance on SSM Arguments against SSM raised by the National Organization for marriage Allowing military chaplains to conduct SSM ceremonies Inside a "scary, society-destroying family" led by parents of the same sex Support for same-sex marriage by the National Association of the Deaf (NAD) A speech by Ed Fallon in opposition to a state DOMA law in Iowa How do children fare with same-sex parents? One child with three legal parents: a Canadian court decision Governments that recognize same-sex relationships Companies that extend benefits to partners of gay/lesbian employees Marriage benefits that are denied to gay & lesbian couples A sampling of opinions by religious leaders and individuals
	Affects of Religion and race on attitudes towards SSM: Faith groups' policies toward same-sex marriages and equal rights for gays The Bible and same-sex marriages Two aspects to marriage: civil and religious: should they be separated? Marriage and family forms in the Bible and now Reactions by the African American churches and community concerning marriage equality 2012: Resolution by the Southern Baptist Convention that same-sex marriage is not a civil rights issue: Part 1: The resolution itself Part 2: Analysis of the resolution 2008: Article in Newsweek in support of SSM TV ads by the National Organization for Marriage opposing SSM: 2009 fear-based ad 2012 ad promoting "natural" marriage and denigrating adopting families
	Laws in the U.S. and elsewhere in the world: Legal aspect of same-sex marriages U.S. court & legislative activity restricting same-sex marriage - DOMA laws The Nebraska DOMA law declared unconstitutional U.S. Constitutional amendments to ban SSM: Federal: Proposed Marriage Amendment (FMA) to the U.S. Constitution to ban SSM North Carolina: Amendment One, a stealth amendment to ban SSM and recognition of many other relationships Part 1  Part 2  Part3 An interpretation of the U.S. Constitution as it applies to same-sex marriage Will SSM inevitably lead to decriminalizing polygamy?   International declarations on the rights of LGBT persons   Laws in other countries that oppress or protect LGBT persons
	Public opinion polls: In the U.S.: Single polls Repeated polls: On same-sex marriage On same-sex civil unions In Canada: 1996 to 2002; 2003 2004 2005 This is the year in which SSM was legalized across Canada 2006 Anecdotal comments about SSM
	Legal developments affecting SSM, civil unions, etc. in the U.S.: LGBT news items 1996 to 2010 The status of governments' recognition of same-sex relationships as of mid-2005 with links to later developments Recognition that same-sex relationship seems to have reached a tipping point on 2011-FEB-23 We have documented other events showing an accelerating movement towards LGBT equality during: 2011-FEB/MAR    2011-APR  2011-MAY-01 to 15  2011-MAY-16 to 31  2011-JUN-01 to 10  2011-JUN-11 to 30 2011-JUL-01 to 15   2011-JUL-16 to 31  2011-AUG-01 to 15  2011-AUG-16 to 31   2011-SEP  2011-OCT 2011-NOV  2011-DEC    2011: Year end review 2012-JAN  2012-FEB  2012-MAR 2009 to 2012: Summary of changes in the U.S. towards equal rights for LGBTs   2012-APR   2012-MAY: President Obama, and others, announce personal support of SSM. Reactions. 2012-MAY  2012-JUN  2012-JUL  2012-AUG  2012-SEP  2012-OCT  2012-NOV  2012-DEC 2013-JAN  2013-FEB  2013-MAR-01 to 14  2013-MAR-15 to 21  2013-MAR-23 to 26  2013-MAR-26 to 31  2013-APR-01 to 04  2013-APR-05 to 30  2013-MAY  2013-JUN  2013-JUL Within Native American Nations: Cherokee Nation Coquille Nation Within the 50 American states and the District of Columbia: Thirteen states and the District of Columbia issue licenses to loving, committed same-sex couples and register their marriages. The states are: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington State. The next state will probably be: Illinois, Michigan, New Mexico or Oregon. Alaska Arizona California * The Pursuit of equality, a documentary DVD Colorado Connecticut * Delaware * District of Columbia * Hawaii Illinois << Debate on SSM delayed until 2013-NOV Iowa * Maine * Maryland * Massachusetts * Michigan Minnesota * Nevada << SSM being actively debated New Hampshire * New Jersey << SSM being actively debated New York * New Mexico ** North Carolina Ohio Oregon Part 1  Part 2 Pennsylvania << Active lawsuit Rhode Island * Vermont  * Virginia Washington DC * Washington state * Wisconsin Wyoming Issuing of SSM marriage licenses in various states in early 2004 2004 to 2008: Early events in various states * SSM currently available or about to become available: 12 states and Washington DC. ** Out-of-state SSMs recognized in NM. The Los Angeles Times has a timeline map showing changes in various states from 2000 to 2012-NOV.
	Status of SSM elsewhere in the world: As of 2013-JUN-01, fifteen countries have legalized SSM everywhere within their borders, including: Argentina, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, and Uruguay. Also, Brazil, Mexico, and the United States have legalized SSM in some states, but not in others. Canada: Ten provincial/territorial court cases and one federal government decision This is a big section! Outside North America: Argentina: SSM bill considered. SSM bill passes parliament Australia  Belgium Columbia France India Ireland Israel Netherlands Norway New Zealand Portugal Scotland South Africa Spain Switzerland Sweden UK: England, and Wales, but not including Scotland Brief coverage of other countries: Albania, Brazil, and the Czech Republic   Germany, Hungary, Iceland, and Mexico Portugal and Uruguay

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