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'''Same-sex marriage''' is a legal contract (i.e. one typically formalized by filing papers at a government office) in which the two people being married are of the same sex. It gives these couples the same legal rights and status as married opposite-sex couples.  

'''Same-sex marriage''' is a legal contract (i.e. one typically formalized by filing papers at a government office) in which the two people being married are of the same sex. It gives these couples the same legal rights and status as married opposite-sex couples.  

A taboo subject until the [[stonewall riots]] of 1969, same-sex marriage is one of a number of issues involving gay rights and the so called"culture wars." Traditionally, in the United States, marriage has been considered to be one of the areas governed by each state rather than by the Federal Government, and marriage laws are a patchwork whose details are different in each state. The possibility of same-sex marriage in each state depends on that state's constitution.

Unheard of a few decades ago, same-sex marriage is one of a number of issues involving gay rights and the "culture wars."{{fact}} Traditionally, in the United States, marriage has been considered to be one of the areas governed by each state rather than by the Federal Government, and marriage laws are a patchwork whose details are different in each state. The possibility of same-sex marriage in each state depends on that state's constitution.

The "full faith and credit" clause of the constitution guarantees that a right someone receives in one state will be respected in another. However in 1996 Congress passed the [[Defense of Marriage act]] which forces states to ignore this part of the constitution, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

In 1996 Congress recognized the likelihood that same-sex marriage would soon become legal in at least some states, and was concerned that the Constitution might be interpreted as forcing states that did not allow it to recognize marriages performed in states that did allow it. It passed the Defense of Marriage act, which prevents this possibility, and also prevents the Federal Government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under Vermont's constitution, it was not required to allow same-sex marriage but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights somewhat near those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from "marriages" but convey some of the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey, Maine, and Hawaii provide civil unions. In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an established Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would be illegal in their home state. The same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

In 1999 a Vermont court ruled that under Vermont's constitution, it was not required to allow same-sex marriage but was required to make provisions to grant same-sex couples legal rights identical to those provided by marriage. Vermont responded by creating "civil unions," which are legally distinct from "marriages" but convey the same rights. As of 2007, California, Connecticut, New Jersey, and a couple of other states also provide civil unions. In 2003 the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that under Massachusetts' constitution, same-sex couples could not be denied Massachusetts marriage licenses, making Massachusetts the sole state to issue same-sex marriage licenses.<ref>Because of an established Massachusetts law, Massachusetts same-sex marriages are all-but-limited to Massachusetts residents. The law says that an out-of-state couple cannot be married if their marriage would be illegal in their home state. The same-sex marriages are not recognized under federal law or in most other states.</ref>

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and many protestant denominations. Thus, even in Massachusetts, it would be close to impossible for a same-sex couple to find a Catholic priest willing to marry them in a church, or an Orthodox rabbi willing to marry them in a temple.  Most same-sex marriages take place under the auspices of the [[Unitarian Church]].

The religious ceremony of marriage is governed by each denomination and is unaffected by laws passed by civil authority. Same-sex marriage is forbidden in Orthodox Judaism, Catholicism, and most mainstream Protestant denominations. Thus, even in Massachusetts, it would be close to impossible for a same-sex couple to find a Catholic priest willing to marry them in a church, or an Orthodox rabbi willing to marry them in a temple.

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives, and most of the support for it is from moderates and liberals.  New polling data has shown that younger generations are much more open to same-sex marriage, reflecting a larger trend of increased social liberalism.

Public attitude toward same-sex marriage parallels attitude toward homosexuality. In general, it is opposed by social conservatives, and most of the support for it is from liberals{{fact}}.

Same-sex marriages are allowed in [[Canada]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]], [[South Africa]], [[Monaco]], [[Spain]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Greenland]], [[Netherland Antilles]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Pitcairn Island]], [[French Guiana]], and the [[Falkland Islands]].

Same-sex marriages are allowed in [[Canada]], the [[Netherlands]], [[Belgium]], [[South Africa]], [[Monaco]], [[Spain]], [[Cayman Islands]], [[Greenland]], [[Netherland Antilles]], [[Turks and Caicos Islands]], [[Pitcairn Island]], [[French Guiana]], [[Falkland Islands]].

[[Israel]] approves of same-sex marriages performed abroad, but does not perform them in the country.

[[Israel]] approves of same-sex marriages performed abroad, but does not perform them in the country.