FindLaw Legal News: Special Coverage: Same-Sex Marriage

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Same-Sex Marriage
Background | Documents | Legal Analysis | Commentary | Message Boards

Same-Sex Marriage Background Information

Same-Sex Marriage: Developments in the Law
The same-sex marriage battle intensifies: A history of the law and the latest news.
If You Can Marry, Should You?
Fast facts to help you decide whether you're ready to pop the question
Who Is a Legal Parent?
Understand your legal rights as a lesbian or gay parent
Can I Claim My Partner as a Dependent on My Tax Return?
There is just one situation in which this is possible. Learn about it here.

Same-Sex Marriage Documents

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Opinion (PDF) (Lewis v. Harris) New Jersey’s Supreme Court rules same-sex couples equal rights and tells state lawmakers that they must decide how to make that happen, either through marriage or via another legal route. (Oct. 25, 2006)
Opinion (PDF) (In Re: Marriage Cases) California appellate court upholds the state’s same-sex marriage ban (Oct. 5, 2006)
Opinion (PDF) (Lockyer v. San Francisco) California Supreme Court voids all same sex marriages performed in SF (Aug. 12, 2004)
Order to Show Cause (Lockyer v. San Francisco) California Supreme Court Halts Issuance of Same-Sex Marriage Licenses in San Francisco (March 11, 2004)
Order to Show Cause (Lewis v. Alfaro) California Supreme Court Halts Issuance of Same-Sex Marriage Licenses in San Francisco (March 11, 2004)
Complaint (PDF) (San Francisco v. California, Prop. 22 Legal Defense & Educ. Fund) (Feb. 19, 2004)
Complaint (PDF) (Thomasson v. Newsom) Lawsuit challenges SF Same-Sex Marriages, Seeks Injunction (Feb. 13, 2004)
SF Mayor's Letter to County Clerk Re: Issuing Marriage Licenses S.F. Mayor instructs County Clerk to issue licenses without regard to gender or sexual orientation (Feb. 10, 2004)
Calif. Family Code Section 308.5 (HTML) The "California Defense of Marriage Act"
Calif. Proposition 22 (HTML) [PDF version] Ballot initiative to enact "California Defense of Marriage Act," passed by California voters in March 7, 2000 Primary Election
Analysis, Ballot Arguments Regarding Calif. Proposition 22 (HTML) [PDF version] (Provides background and context for "California Defense of Marriage Act" passed by California voters in March 7, 2000 Primary Election)
Mass. Supreme Jud. Ct. Advisory Opinion Re: Gay & Lesbian marriage Massachusetts senate bill outlawing gay and lesbian marriage, but permitting same-sex "civil unions," is unconstitutional (Feb. 3, 2004)
Mass. Supreme Jud. Ct. Opinion (PDF) (Goodridge v. Dept. of Public Health) Court rules that law barring same-sex marriages violates the state constitution (Nov. 18, 2003)
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion (Lawrence v. Texas) Justices strike down all state sodomy laws as unconstitutional (2003)
U.S. Supreme Court Opinion (Bowers v. Hardwick) Supreme Court upholds Georgia’s sodomy Laws (1986)