Equality from State to State
The comprehensive state-by-state report provides a complete summary of all the state legislation introduced and passed in 2010 that affected lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families. The report also details expectations for 2011.
Marriage and Other Relationship Recognition Laws
Five states and the nation's capital currently issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples – Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Washington, D.C. Several other states provide spousal rights to same-sex couples.
Click on a colored state to learn more about the relationship recognition in that jurisdiction. Drag the map to view Alaska and Hawaii. A color key is located below the map.
Color Key
State issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
State recognizes marriages by same-sex couples legally entered into in another jurisdiction.
Statewide law providing the equivalent of state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples within the state.
Statewide law providing some statewide spousal rights to same-sex couples within the state.
Unclear relationship recognition within the state.
Interstate Relationship Recognition Laws
A number of states provide some level of relationship recognition to LGBT couples who entered into a legal partnership in another state. Two states – New York and Maryland – and the District of Columbia fully recognize marriages, domestic partnerships and civil unions entered into in other jurisdictions.
Click on a colored state to learn more about the relationship recognition in that jurisdiction. Drag the map to view Alaska and Hawaii. A color key is located below the map.
Color Key
State recognizes out-of-jurisdiction marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples as valid marriages and recognizes out-of-jurisdiction registered civil unions or domestic partnerships as valid civil unions or domestic partnership.
State recognizes out-of-jurisdiction marriage licenses issued to same-sex couples as valid marriages, but will not recognize other forms of relationship recognition.
State recognizes out-of-jurisdiction marriages and civil unions or domestic partnerships as a valid civil union or domestic partnership.
State recognizes out-of-jurisdiction civil union or domestic partnership as a valid civil union or domestic partnership.
Unclear state recognition of out-of-jurisdiction unions.
In order to be eligible for benefits and protections extended by the state, couples must re-register with the state regardless of their relationship status elsewhere.
Statewide Marriage Prohibitions
Statewide prohibitions against marriage for same-sex couples are in place in most states – either in the form of statutory law or amendment to the state's constitution. Forty-one states explicitly bar same-sex couples from marriage.
Click on a colored state to learn more about the relationship recognition in that jurisdiction. Drag the map to view Alaska and Hawaii. A color key is located below the map.
Color Key
States with constitutional amendments restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
States with laws restricting marriage to one man and one woman.
Parenting Laws: Joint Adoption
Each state has its own laws governing adoption and they vary widely. Thirteen states and the District of Columbia permit joint adoption – which involves a couple adopting from the child's biological parent(s) or is in the custody of the state – by same-sex couples statewide. In many states, it is unclear whether same-sex couples would be permitted to jointly file a petition to adopt a child.
Click on a colored state to learn more about the relationship recognition in that jurisdiction. Drag the map to view Alaska and Hawaii. A color key is located below the map.
Color Key
States where same-sex couples can jointly petition to adopt statewide.
States where same-sex couples have successfully petitioned to adopt in some jurisdictions.
States with unclear joint adoption status.
States with obstacles to equal treatment.
Parenting Laws: Second-Parent Adoption
Each state has its own laws governing adoption and they vary widely. In some states, an LGBT person can petition to adopt their partner's child – usually called second-parent or stepparent adoptions. Nine states and the District of Columbia permit second-parent adoption by same-sex couples statewide.
Click on a colored state to learn more about the relationship recognition in that jurisdiction. Drag the map to view Alaska and Hawaii. A color key is located below the map.
Color Key
States where second-parent adoption is an option for same-sex couples statewide.
States where same-sex couples have successfully petitioned for second-parent adoption in some jurisdictions.
States with unclear second-parent adoption status.
States with obstacles to equal treatment.
Archive of Equality from State to State reports:
