We've been fighting long and hard for nationwide marriage equality. Here's
a look at the last 20 years of the journey, and all the highs and lows that made this dream a reality.

Utah was the first state to pass a Defense of Marriage law. The law states that Utah doesn’t have to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.

Congress & President Bill Clinton pass the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), banning federal recognition of same-sex marriage.

Hawaii becomes the first state to give domestic partnership benefits to same-sex couples.

Alaska votes to ban same-sex marriage.

Vermont becomes the first state to allow civil unions between same-sex couples.

According to polls, Americans still opposte same-sex marriage 57% to 35%.

Nevada bans same sex marriage.

Massachusetts becomes the first state to legalize gay marriage. In the ruling Judge Margaret Marshall writes, “The exclusive commitment of two individuals to each other nurtures love and mutual support; it brings stability to our society… Civil marriage is at once a deeply personal commitment to another human being and a highly public celebration of the ideals of mutuality, companionship, intimacy, fidelity, and family.”

Missouri, Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Utah all vote to ban same-sex marriage.

Local officials in California, New York, New Mexico, and Oregon start allowing same-sex couples to marry, but nearly all of those marriage licenses are eventually invalidated.

Kansas and Texas ban same-sex marriage.

Connecticut authorizes civil unions.

Alabama, Colorado, Idaho, South Dakota, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Wiasconsin all ban same-sex marriage. Arizona becomes the first state to vote to reject ban on gay marriage (a decision they’ll later reverse). New Jersey authorizes civil unions.

A Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court upholds a 1913 state law banning out-of-state couples from getting married in Massachusets if the marriage isnt legal in their home state — at the time the law was originally eneacted, it would have primarily applied to mixed-race marriages.

Connecticut becomes the seocnd state to legalize gay marriage.

Iowa, the District of Columbia, Vermont, and New Hampshire legalize gay marriage.

CNN releases the first poll showing that fewer than half of Americans (48%) oppose gay marriage.

New York becomes the largest state to allow gay marriage.

Hawaii legalizes civil unions.

President Obama announces a reversal of his 2008 statements about same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting president to openly support marriage equality.

CNN releases a new poll showing that 55% of Americans now support same-sex marriage. SCOTUS repeals DOMA and Prop 8, but declines to rule on nationwide marriage equality, asserting that the state should decide. New Jersey, Illinois, Hawaii, New Mexico, Minnesota, Delaware, and Rhode Island all legalize gay marriage.

A series of federal court rulings overturning bans make same-sex marriage legal in Indiana, Oklahoma, Utah, Virginia, Wisconsin, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Colorado, Nevada, Alaska, Idaho, West Virginia, North Carolina, Arizona, Wyoming, Kansas, South Carolina, and Montana. 60% of the US population now lives in a state with marriage equality.

At the same time, a 6th Circuit Court of Appeals upholds bans and reverses pro-marriage rulings for Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. These cases will later be brought before SCOTUS, forcing the court to rule on nationwide marriage equality.

Guam becomes the first US Territory to legalize same-sex marriage

SCOTUS rules… MARRIAGE EQUALITY FOR ALL!