Massachusetts' legalization of same-sex marriage is causing other states to grapple with their stance on these unions. Following is a breakdown of how the 50 states and the District of Columbia are dealing with such matters as changing their constitutions to bar same-sex marriage or creating alternatives to marriage for same-sex couples.
Allow Same-Sex Couples to Marry
Massachusetts
Provide Domestic Partner Benefits
California; Connecticut; District of Columbia; Hawaii
Allow Civil Unions
Vermont
(California and New Jersey provide similar benefits to those of the civil unions in Vermont)
Give Partner Benefits for State Employees
California; Connecticut; District of Columbia; Iowa; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Vermont; Washington
Recognize Same-Sex Marriages
Thirty-nine states specifically ban the recognition of same-sex marriages performed in other states. The following DO NOT:
Connecticut; District of Columbia; Massachusetts; Maryland; New Hampshire; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; Oregon; Rhode Island; Wisconsin; Wyoming
Ban Same-Sex Marriage in State Constitution
Alaska; Hawaii; Nebraska; Nevada
Current Ballot Initiatives Banning Same-Sex Marriage
Arkansas; Mississippi; Delaware; Missouri; Georgia; Montana; Kentucky; Ohio; Massachusetts; Oregon; Michigan; Utah; Minnesota
Sources: Human Rights Campaign, Stateline.org
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