Statistics on Gay Marriage

The majority of Americans support the legal recognition same-sex marriage. Currently, 48% of U.S. residents live in states that offer same-sex couples a way to acquire legal rights. Same-sex marriage is now legal in about 40% of U.S. states (including the District of Columbia). McKinley Irvin believes full marriage equality is inevitable.

More statistics on same-sex marriage:

In Washington State

• Washington State was the 8th state in the nation to legalize gay marriage
• Over 7,000 same-sex couples have been married in Washington State (as of 9/2013)
• 15.78% of all same-sex couples in Washington State are raising children (Williams Institute, April 2013)

LGBT Families in the U.S.

• 3.4% of adults identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) in the United States (Gallup report, October 2012)
• There are 650,000 same-sex couples in the United States (Williams Institute, February 2013)
• 114,100 same-sex couples are legally married in the United States (Williams Institute, February 2013)
• 108,600 same-sex couples in the U.S. are in civil unions or registered domestic partnerships (Williams Institute, February 2013)
• See Chapter 9 for statistics on gay divorce

Which States Have Legal Same-Sex Marriages in the U.S.?

Same-sex marriage is legal in the following states and districts, listed by when each passed laws allowing same-sex marriage.

1. Massachusetts (May 17, 2004)
2. Connecticut (November 12, 2008)
3. Iowa (April 3, 2009)
4. Vermont (September 1, 2009)
5. District of Columbia (December 18, 2009)
6. New Hampshire (January 1, 2010)
7. New York (July 24, 2011)
8. Washington (December 6, 2012)
9. Maine (December 29, 2012)
10. Maryland (January 1, 2013)
11. California (June 27, 2013)
12. Delaware (July 1, 2013)
13. Minnesota (August 1, 2013)
14. Rhode Island (August 1, 2013)
15. New Jersey (October 21, 2013)
16. Hawaii (November 13, 2013)
17. Illinois (November 20, 2013)
18. New Mexico (December 19, 2013)
19. Oregon (May 19, 2014)
20. Pennsylvania (May 20, 2014)

Which States Provide State-Recognized Domestic Partnerships or Civil Unions (but not marriage) in the U.S.?

1. Colorado
2. Nevada
3. Wisconsin

Public Opinion on Gay Marriage in the United States

Support for same-sex marriage is increasing in the U.S. Currently, those in favor of gay marriage outweigh those who are opposed.

Source: Nate Silver, “ How Opinion on Same-Sex Marriage Is Changing, and What It Means,” March 26, 2013.