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Gaining marriage equality was also a tough battle for the LGBT community, but is seen as a significant force that influences the ongoing trend of the advancements of LGBT and civil rights in America. 1313 legal benefits were made that fought for the rights of marriage for the same-sex couples.
The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s but remained unsuccessful for over forty years.
In 1996, Bill Clinton and Congress passed the Defence of marriage act, which prevented the federal government from recognizing any marriages between gay or lesbian couples for the purpose of federal laws or programs, even if those couples are considered legally married by their home state. The U.S. Supreme Court has now gotten rid of Section 3 of DOMA which prevented the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples, because it violated the “equal protection” promise.
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalize same-sex marriage following the Supreme Judicial Court's decision six months earlier. Before nationwide legalization same-sex marriage became legal in 37 states; 25 states by court order, 10 by legislative action, and 3 by referendum.
The movement to obtain civil marriage rights and benefits for same-sex couples in the United States began in the 1970s but remained unsuccessful for over forty years.
In 1996, Bill Clinton and Congress passed the Defence of marriage act, which prevented the federal government from recognizing any marriages between gay or lesbian couples for the purpose of federal laws or programs, even if those couples are considered legally married by their home state. The U.S. Supreme Court has now gotten rid of Section 3 of DOMA which prevented the federal government from recognizing marriages of same-sex couples, because it violated the “equal protection” promise.
On May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first U.S. state and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalize same-sex marriage following the Supreme Judicial Court's decision six months earlier. Before nationwide legalization same-sex marriage became legal in 37 states; 25 states by court order, 10 by legislative action, and 3 by referendum.