Same-Sex Marriage:LGBT people in the U.S. are fighting for equal protection under the law, including legal gay marriage. The
Federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) of 1996 denies federal recognition of gay marriages and gives each state the right to refuse recognition of same-sex marriage. Some lawmakers have proposed a
Constitutional amendment that would define marriage as between a man and woman. The measure has been unsuccessful thus far.
U.S. states that recognize gay marriage:Massachusetts
On May 17, 2004 Massachusetts became the first U.S. state to legalize same-sex marriage.
New Jersey
On October 25, 2006, the New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey must allow same-sex couples to marry.
U.S. States that allow same-sex partnerships or civil unions:California
California provides
domestic partnership benefits. The state legislature successfully voted in favor of
legal gay marriage in California, only to be vetoed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In March, 2005, a San Francisco judge ruled that the law banning same-sex marriage was unconstitutional.
Connecticut
Although Connecticut defines marriage as between a man and woman, it became the second U.S. state to grant same-sex civil unions in April, 2005.
New Hampshere
In April of 2007, the New Hampshire House of Representatives passed a civil unions bill that give gay couples nearly the same rights as married couples. The Senate is expected to sign the bill and the Governor has agreed to sign it into law.
OregonThe State House and Senate passed a domestic partnership law that grants same-sex couples many of the rights of marriage as well as a bill that protects gays and lesbians against discrimination.
Vermont
The first U.S. state to offer same-sex civil unions in 2000. Learn about
Vermont civil unions.
Washington
In April of 2007, the Washington State legislature passed a domestic partnership bill providing legal benefits to same-sex couples.
read more U.S. States that ban same-sex unions:
The States that prohibit same-sex marriage are Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Same-Sex Adoption:Here are the different types of adoption and a state-by-state index of
adoption laws in the U.S.
In the U.S., gay adoption laws vary from state to state. Here are the different types of adoption and a state-by-state index of adoption laws:
Types of Adoption/Guardianship:Single (Individual) Adoption
Individual adoption is the traditional type of adoption where an unmarried person seeks to adopt a child that has been put for adoption by the birth parent(s) or by the State.
Joint Adoption
In a joint adoption an unmarried couple petitions the court to adopt a child that has been put for adoption by the birth parent(s) or by the State.
Second-parent Adoption
This type of adoption involves one parent who already has legal rights of the child and a second parent that is petitioning for joint rights. The initial parent does not give up parental rights. Usually, gay couples in states that do not allow joint same-sex adoption choose this option.
Step-parent (Domestic Partner) Adoption
When a child is already living with both same-sex parents, step-parent or domestic partner adoption is filed.
Guardianship
Where gay adoption is not legal, parents can protect their families by applying for guardianship. However, guardianship does not provide the same legal rights as adoption.
Foster Care vs. Adoption
Foster care differs from adoption in a few ways. A foster parent assumes care responsibility for the foster child, but the State maintains all legal guardianship of the child. Adoption transfers legal responsibility and care over to the adopting parents.
Gay Adoption State-by-StateAlabama
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Alaska
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Arizona
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
ArkansasArkansas Act One prohibits unmarried couples (both same sex and opposite sex) from adopting or fostering children. More on
Act One California
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Colorado
Permits same-sex couple adoption. Also allows grandparents and other individuals helping raise the child to adopt.
Connecticut
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Delaware
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
District of Columbia
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Florida
Prohibits single and joint gay adoption.
Georgia
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Hawaii
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Idaho
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Illinois
Permits single GLBT and couples adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Indiana
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Iowa
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Kansas
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Kentucky
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Louisiana
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
MainePermits single GLBT adoption. On August 30, 2007 the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled unanimously in their favor on grounds that prohibiting the adoption would be counter to Maine's Adoption Act.
(read more) Maryland
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint gay adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Massachusetts
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Michigan
Permits single GLBT adoption. Prohibits joint adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Minnesota
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint gay adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Mississippi
Permits single GLBT adoption. Prohibits joint adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Missouri
Single GLBT and joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Montana
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Nebraska
Single GLBT adoption unclear. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Prohibits second-parent adoption.
Nevada
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
New Hampshire
Permits single GLBT adoption. Prohibits joint adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
New Jersey
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
New Mexico
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
New YorkPermits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
In the U.S., adoption laws for gay and lesbian individuals and couples vary from state to state. Here are the different types of adoption and a state-by-state index of adoption laws:
...continued North Carolina
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
North Dakota
Single GLBT and joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Ohio
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption not allowed.
Oklahoma
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Oregon
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Pennsylvania
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Rhode Island
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
South Carolina
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
South Dakota
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Tennessee
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Texas
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption allowed in some areas.
Utah
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption prohibited. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Vermont
Permits single GLBT and joint adoption. Second-parent adoption allowed.
Virginia
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Washington
Permits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption in some areas.
West Virginia
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption unclear.
Wisconsin
Permits single GLBT adoption. Does not clearly prohibit joint gay adoption. Second-parent adoption prohibited.
WyomingPermits single GLBT adoption. Joint adoption unclear. Second-parent adoption unclear.
This is why I posed the question at the begining of this blog, Please help support Love because there is already too much hate in the world!
and get a tag you like & post it on your page.
This saddens me not only as a lesbian woman, mother, and "wife", but also as an AMERICAN. I pay the same taxes, abide by the same laws, and yet have none of the same rights & benefits.