Special Collection: Same-Sex Marriage

San Francisco same-sex marriage lawsuit resulted in temporary legalization of gay marriage.

In re Marriage Cases

04-04365 | California state trial court

Filed Date: 2004

Closed Date: 2008

Same-sex marriage case in Massachusetts voided due to prior undissolved Vermont civil union.

Elia-Warnken v. Elia

WO09D0940DR | Massachusetts state trial court

Filed Date: 2009

Closed Date: July 26, 2012

PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS/ CONTRACTING/ ORGANIZATIONAL DISCRIMINATION

Baker v. Wildflower Inn

11-01837 | Vermont state trial court

Filed Date: 2011

Closed Date: Aug. 23, 2012

ACLU discrimination lawsuit against Vermont inn over same-sex wedding reception policy ended in settlement.

Goodridge v. Department of Human Health

01-1647-A | Massachusetts state trial court

Filed Date: 2001

Closed Date: 2003

Landmark Massachusetts lawsuit led to first state recognition of same-sex marriage rights in 2003.

Early state lawsuit challenging Vermont's same-sex marriage ban led to creation of civil unions.

Baker v. Vermont

S1009-97 CNC | Vermont state trial court

Filed Date: 1997

Closed Date: 1999

Hara v. Office of Personnel Management

09-03134 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: 2009

Closed Date: 2013

Disabled veteran challenges VA's denial of benefits for same-sex spouse, case resolved after Windsor decision.

Cardona v. Shinseki

11-03083 | U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

Filed Date: 2011

Closed Date: March 11, 2014

Discrimination case over federal employee same-sex spouse benefits resolved favorably.

In re Clark

13-80100 | U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Filed Date: 2013

Earl Ball and Timothy Hare v. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) In 2013, a gay male couple from Easton, Pennsylvania filed this lawsuit challenging a 1996 Pennsylvania law that banned same-sex marriage.

Spellman v. Washington DC

District of Columbia state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

Federal employee lawsuit challenging denial of same-sex spouse benefits under DOMA that resulted in back pay award.

In re Levenson

09-80172 | No Court

Filed Date: 2009

Closed Date: 2009

Benson v. Alverson

Minnesota state trial court

Filed Date: 2010

Czekala-Chatham v. Melancon

Mississippi state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

Dickerson v. Thompson

New York state trial court

Filed Date: 2007

Romero v. Romero

Kentucky state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

Costanza and Brewer v. Caldwell

13-01049 | Louisiana state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

Case Ongoing

Louisiana same-sex marriage and adoption case rendered moot by landmark Supreme Court ruling.

Texas same-sex marriage and custody case became moot after Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

A.L.F.L. v. K.L.L.

014-CI-02421 | Texas state trial court

Filed Date: 2014

Same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit in Tennessee resolved by Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

Borman v. Pyles-Borman

No. 2014CV36 | Tennessee state trial court

Filed Date: 2014

Closed Date: 2015

In the Matters of Unmarried Couple Adoptions

02-0130-AO/02-0129-RB | Michigan state trial court

Filed Date: 2002

Closed Date: 2002

Michigan county's practice of allowing same-sex second-parent adoptions ended by state court leadership in 2002.

Richmond v. Madison County Circuit Clerk

Alabama state trial court

Filed Date: 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex divorce case in Madison County, Alabama succeeded after state's marriage ban was overturned.

Florida same-sex divorce case resolved after state's marriage ban was overturned.

Shaw v. Shaw

14-DR-000666 | Florida state trial court

Filed Date: 2014

Closed Date: June 30, 2015

Cherokee Nation Attorney General Opinion

No Docket | No Court

Filed Date: 2016

Religious discrimination lawsuit over same-sex couple's denial to foster refugee children through Catholic agency.

Marouf v. Azar

1:18-cv-00378 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia

Filed Date: Feb. 20, 2018

Case Ongoing

Glossip v. Missouri Department of Transportation

10-CC00434 | Missouri state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 8, 2016

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) The plaintiff in this case is a Missourian man who was in a committed partnership with another man for 15 years before his partner, a state tr…

ACLU lawsuit challenging Mississippi's religious objection law for same-sex marriage services was dismissed.

Alford v. Moulder

3:16-cv-00350 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Filed Date: May 9, 2016

Closed Date: Sept. 26, 2018

Same-sex parents' lawsuit against South Carolina over birth certificates settled with policy changes.

Carson v. Heigel

3:16-cv-00045 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Filed Date: Jan. 7, 2016

Closed Date: June 15, 2017

Campaign for Southern Equality v. Mississippi Department of Human Services

3:15-cv-00578 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Filed Date: Aug. 8, 2015

Closed Date: 2016

Civil rights lawsuit challenging Mississippi's ban on same-sex adoption resulted in permanent injunction.

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) Same-sex couples in Arkansas who had children before Obergefell legalized same-sex marriage filed suit in state court in July 2015 in order to…

Smith v. Pavan

60CV-15-3153 | Arkansas state trial court

Filed Date: July 13, 2015

Civil rights lawsuit against Rowan County, Kentucky clerk for refusing same-sex marriage licenses.

Miller v. Davis

0:15-cv-00044 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky

Filed Date: July 2, 2015

Case Ongoing

Same-sex couple's lawsuit against Utah over birth certificate recognition rights settled with permanent injunction.

Roe v. Patton

2:15-cv-00253 | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Filed Date: April 13, 2015

Closed Date: Oct. 20, 2015

Multi-state challenge to federal same-sex marriage benefits rule ended after Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

Texas v. United States

7:15-cv-00056 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas

Filed Date: March 18, 2015

Same-sex adoption dispute in Mobile County, Alabama resolved after restrictions removed.

Searcy v. Davis

1:15-cv-00104 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Filed Date: Feb. 24, 2015

Closed Date: March 26, 2015

Alabama Supreme Court blocked same-sex marriage licenses despite federal court rulings in 2015.

In Re: King

n/a | Alabama state trial court

Filed Date: Feb. 9, 2015

Case Ongoing

Alabama same-sex marriage lawsuit resolved when licenses granted.

Hedgepeth v. Davis

1:15-cv-00067 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Filed Date: Feb. 9, 2015

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Blount County, Alabama was dismissed.

Hathcote v. Green

2:15-cv-00273 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Filed Date: Feb. 9, 2015

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit successfully challenged Nebraska's ban on gay marriage.

Waters v. Heineman

8:14-cv-00356 | U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska

Filed Date: Dec. 2, 2014

Closed Date: June 14, 2019

Mooneyham v. Ozark Fire Protection District

6:14-cv-03496 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Filed Date: Nov. 24, 2014

Closed Date: Sept. 9, 2015

This case concerns spousal benefits for a same-sex marriage before it was legalized nationwide. On November 24, 2014, a female firefighter married to a woman filed suit in the U.S. District Court for…

Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant

3:14-cv-00818 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Filed Date: Oct. 20, 2014

Civil rights lawsuit successfully challenged Mississippi's same-sex marriage ban.

Knapp v. City of Coeur D'Alene

2:14-cv-00441 | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Filed Date: Oct. 17, 2014

Closed Date: 2016

Religious freedom case over wedding chapel's same-sex marriage policy in Coeur d'Alene settled.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in South Carolina resulted in court ordered legalization of gay marriage.

Condon v. Haley

2:14-cv-04010 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2014

Closed Date: Aug. 10, 2015

Marriage equality lawsuit in Wyoming led to legalization of same-sex marriage.

Guzzo v. Mead

2:14-cv-00200 | U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming

Filed Date: Oct. 7, 2014

Case Ongoing

Social Security lawsuit over same-sex survivor benefits in Rhode Island settled with payment of back benefits.

Tevyaw v. Colvin

1:14-cv-00425 | U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island

Filed Date: Sept. 29, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Mobile County, Alabama, led to statewide policy changes.

Strawser v. Strange

1:14-cv-00424 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Filed Date: Sept. 11, 2014

Closed Date: Jan. 20, 2017

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana County ended after state recognition of out-of-state marriages.

Romero v. Brown

2:14-cv-00325 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana

Filed Date: Sept. 8, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Same-sex veteran burial rights case in Idaho resolved in plaintiff's favor following Obergefell decision.

Taylor v. Brasuell

1:14-cv-00273 | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Filed Date: July 7, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Colorado resulted in the state's marriage ban being struck down.

Burns v. Hickenlooper

1:14-cv-01817 | U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Filed Date: July 1, 2014

Closed Date: Jan. 28, 2015

Lawson v. Jackson County Department of Recorder of Deeds

4:14-cv-00622 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Filed Date: June 24, 2014

Closed Date: July 2, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Jackson County, Missouri resulted in court striking down marriage ban.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Kent County, Michigan, dismissed after Obergefell decision.

Morgan v. Snyder

1:14-cv-00632 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan

Filed Date: June 11, 2014

Closed Date: 2016

Same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit in Alabama resolved after Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

Aaron-Brush v. Bentley

2:14-cv-01091 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama

Filed Date: June 10, 2014

Closed Date: May 26, 2017

Same-sex marriage challenge in North Dakota resolved after Supreme Court's Obergefell decision.

Ramsey v. Dalrymple

3:14-cv-00057 | U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota

Filed Date: June 6, 2014

Closed Date: June 29, 2015

Michigan same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit dismissed after Supreme Court ruling.

Blankenship v. Snyder

2:14-cv-12221 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: June 5, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in South Dakota led to overturning state marriage ban after Supreme Court decision.

Rosenbrahn v. Daugaard

4:14-cv-04081 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota

Filed Date: May 22, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Montana ended after state's ban was ruled unconstitutional.

Rolando v. Fox

4:14-cv-00040 | U.S. District Court for the District of Montana

Filed Date: May 21, 2014

Closed Date: Aug. 31, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Alaska resulted in ban being declared unconstitutional.

Hamby v. Parnell

3:14-cv-00089 | U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska

Filed Date: May 12, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Alabama led to overturn of state marriage ban and subsequent adoption rights.

Searcy v. Bentley

1:14-cv-00208 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama

Filed Date: May 7, 2014

Closed Date: June 28, 2016

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging Ohio's ban on gay marriage ended after Supreme Court legalized marriage equality.

Gibson v. Himes

1:14-cv-00347 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: April 30, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

General Synod of the United Church of Christ v. Cooper

3:14-cv-00213 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina

Filed Date: April 28, 2014

Closed Date: Aug. 12, 2015

Religious freedom lawsuit challenging North Carolina's same-sex marriage ban resulted in state law being overturned.

Georgia same-sex marriage lawsuit resolved by Obergefell Supreme Court ruling that legalized marriage equality.

Inniss v. Aderhold

1:14-cv-01180 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia

Filed Date: April 22, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana successfully overturned state ban.

Lee v. Pence

1:14-cv-00406 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: April 14, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit in Michigan resolved with court order requiring state recognition.

Caspar v. Snyder

4:14-cv-11499 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: April 14, 2014

Closed Date: May 20, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in North Carolina led to state's marriage ban being declared unconstitutional in 2014.

Gerber v. Cooper

1:14-cv-00299 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

Filed Date: April 9, 2014

Closed Date: July 25, 2018

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenged Florida's ban in Monroe County.

Huntsman v. Heavilin

CASE NO.: 2014-CA-305-K | Florida state trial court

Filed Date: April 1, 2014

Case Ongoing

Conde-Vidal v. Garcia-Padilla

3:14-cv-01253 | U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico

Filed Date: March 25, 2014

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit successfully challenged Puerto Rico's ban on gay marriage and led to legal reforms.

Fujii v. Governor, State of Indiana

1:14-cv-00404 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: March 14, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana led to ban being overturned in 2014.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana resulted in court ruling striking down marriage ban.

Bowling v. Pence

1:14-cv-00405 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: March 14, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Civil rights lawsuit challenging Arizona's same-sex marriage ban, resulting in the ban being overturned.

Majors v. Jeanes

2:14-cv-00518 | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Filed Date: March 12, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana led to invalidation of state marriage ban in 2014.

Baskin v. Bogan

1:14-cv-00355 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: March 10, 2014

Closed Date: March 9, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Indiana voluntarily dismissed after partial resolution of claims.

Love v. Pence

4:14-cv-00015 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana

Filed Date: March 7, 2014

Closed Date: Feb. 23, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Wyoming challenging state ban on marriage equality.

Courage v. Wyoming

14-182262 | Wyoming state trial court

Filed Date: March 5, 2014

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage rights lawsuit in Florida resulted in ban being declared unconstitutional.

Brenner v. Scott

4:14-cv-00107 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida

Filed Date: Feb. 28, 2014

Closed Date: June 16, 2016

McDaniel-Miccio v. State of Colorado

2014-CV-30731 | Colorado state trial court

Filed Date: Feb. 19, 2014

Closed Date: Oct. 6, 2014

Challenge to Colorado's same-sex marriage ban resulted in legalization of same-sex marriage statewide in 2014.

Same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit in Ohio dismissed after couple obtained family health insurance.

Cowger v. United States

1:14-cv-00335 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Filed Date: Feb. 18, 2014

Closed Date: 2014

Forum for Equality Louisiana v. Barfield

2:14-cv-00327 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Feb. 12, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Louisiana same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit resolved following Supreme Court ruling.

Marriage equality lawsuit in Jackson County, Missouri requiring state recognition of out-of-state same-sex marriages.

Barrier v. Vasterling

1416-CV03892 | Missouri state trial court

Filed Date: Feb. 11, 2014

Closed Date: Oct. 6, 2014

Ohio same-sex marriage lawsuit led to Supreme Court legalizing gay marriage.

Henry v. Wymyslo

1:14-cv-00129 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: Feb. 10, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Constitutional challenge to Wisconsin's same-sex marriage ban resulted in federal court striking down the law.

Wolf v. Walker

3:14-cv-00064 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin

Filed Date: Feb. 3, 2014

Closed Date: July 7, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Miami-Dade County initially succeeded but remains under appeal.

Pareto v. Ruvin

2014-001661-CA-01 | Florida state trial court

Filed Date: Jan. 21, 2014

Case Ongoing

Arizona same-sex marriage ban successfully challenged and overturned.

Connolly v. Brewer

2:14-cv-00024 | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Filed Date: Jan. 6, 2014

Closed Date: 2015

Utah marriage recognition lawsuit resolved with injunction requiring state to recognize same-sex marriages.

Evans v. Utah

2:14-cv-00055 | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Filed Date: Jan. 6, 2014

Closed Date: Nov. 24, 2014

Nelson v. Kansas Department of Revenue

13-c-1465 | Kansas state trial court

Filed Date: Dec. 30, 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging Kansas tax rules for joint filing remains ongoing.

Same-sex marriage benefits lawsuit against Houston ended after Supreme Court legalized gay marriage.

Freeman v. Parker

4:13-cv-03755 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Dec. 26, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Oregon same-sex marriage lawsuit resulted in court order requiring state recognition of same-sex marriages.

Rummell v. Kitzhaber

6:13-cv-02256 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: Dec. 19, 2013

Closed Date: Nov. 24, 2014

Lawsuit in Harris County, Texas challenging city employee benefits for same-sex spouses remains ongoing since 2013.

Pidgeon v. Parker

4:13-cv-03768 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: Dec. 17, 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Alabama resolved after Supreme Court's legalization of gay marriage.

Hard v. Bentley

2:13-cv-00922 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama

Filed Date: Dec. 16, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage class action in Cook County, Illinois, ended with court ruling marriage ban unconstitutional.

Lee v. Orr

1:13-cv-08719 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Dec. 6, 2013

Closed Date: Feb. 21, 2014

Employment lawsuit over same-sex spousal benefits settled after railroad changed policy.

Hall v. BNSF Railway

2:13-cv-02160 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Filed Date: Dec. 3, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Native Hawaiian's lawsuit challenging state's same-sex marriage law dismissed for lack of standing.

Amsterdam v. Abercrombie

1:13-cv-00649 | U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii

Filed Date: Nov. 25, 2013

Closed Date: 2016

Same-sex couple wins emergency marriage license in Cook County, Illinois due to terminal illness case.

Gray v. Orr

1:13-cv-08449 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: Nov. 22, 2013

Constitutional challenge to Idaho's same-sex marriage ban resulted in court striking down the law.

Latta v. Otter

1:13-cv-00482 | U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho

Filed Date: Nov. 8, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Jane (2013-25) Doe v. Idaho

41463-2013 | Idaho state trial court

Filed Date: Nov. 6, 2013

Idaho adoption rights case won by unmarried partner.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Texas dismissed after Supreme Court legalized marriage equality nationwide.

Zahrn v. Perry

1:13-cv-00955 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: Oct. 31, 2013

Closed Date: Sept. 22, 2015

Same-sex adoption recognition case from Alabama reached U.S. Supreme Court, which upheld Georgia adoption order.

E.L. v. V.L.

CS-13-719 | Alabama state trial court

Filed Date: Oct. 31, 2013

Closed Date: 2016

Constitutional challenge to Hawaii's same-sex marriage law dismissed and appealed.

McDermott v. Abercrombie

13-1-002899 | Hawaii state trial court

Filed Date: Oct. 30, 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Colorado led to legalization of gay marriage following Supreme Court action.

Brinkman v. Long

2013-CV-032572 | Colorado state trial court

Filed Date: Oct. 30, 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Texas resolved after Supreme Court's Obergefell decision legalized marriage equality.

De Leon v. Perry

5:13-cv-00982 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: Oct. 28, 2013

Closed Date: 2017

Same-sex marriage recognition lawsuit in Tennessee led to nationwide marriage equality through Supreme Court ruling.

Tanco v. Haslam

3:13-cv-01159 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee

Filed Date: Oct. 21, 2013

Closed Date: March 25, 2016

Oregon same-sex marriage ban struck down after constitutional challenge in 2014.

Geiger v. Kitzhaber

6:13-cv-01834 | U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

Filed Date: Oct. 15, 2013

Closed Date: April 20, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Kanawha County, West Virginia, resulted in overturning state marriage ban.

McGee v. Cole

3:13-cv-24068 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia

Filed Date: Oct. 1, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Florida same-sex divorce case challenging state's ban on recognizing out-of-state civil unions.

Brassner v. Lade

13-12058 | Florida state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 27, 2013

Case Ongoing

Pennsylvania same-sex marriage ban challenge dismissed after law deemed unconstitutional.

Palladino v. Corbett

2:13-cv-05641 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Sept. 26, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage challenge in Pennsylvania settled after federal court overturned state's marriage ban.

Ballen v. Corbett

481-MD-2013 | Pennsylvania state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 25, 2013

Closed Date: 2014

Kentucky Equality Federation v. Beshear

13-CI-1074 | Kentucky state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 10, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging Kentucky's marriage ban resolved by state court ruling.

Cucinotta v. Commonwealth

451 M.D. 2013 | Pennsylvania state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 6, 2013

Case Ongoing

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Pennsylvania challenging state ban, later resolved after federal court struck down ban.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against New Mexico and Sandoval County resolved after state legalized marriage equality.

Gering v. Garbagni

D-1329-CV-2013-01715 | New Mexico state trial court

Filed Date: Aug. 29, 2013

Closed Date: 2014

Marriage equality lawsuit successfully challenged South Carolina's ban on recognizing out-of-state same-sex marriages.

Bradacs v. Haley

3:13-cv-02351 | U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Marriage equality case against Los Alamos County resolved by state court ruling.

Newton v. Stover

D-132-CV-201300094 | New Mexico state trial court

Filed Date: Aug. 28, 2013

Closed Date: Dec. 19, 2013

Nebraska civil rights case ended discriminatory foster parent policies against gay couples.

Stewart v. Heineman

CI 13-3157 | Nebraska state trial court

Filed Date: Aug. 27, 2013

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging Kentucky's ban on gay marriage, dismissed without prejudice.

Franklin v. Beshear

3:13-cv-00946 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Filed Date: Aug. 16, 2013

Closed Date: 2014

Virginia same-sex marriage ban class action resolved when state legalized same-sex marriage.

Harris v. McDonnell

5:13-cv-00077 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia

Filed Date: Aug. 1, 2013

Closed Date: Feb. 18, 2015

Texas same-sex marriage lawsuit dismissed after Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide.

McNosky v. Perry

1:13-cv-00631 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas

Filed Date: July 29, 2013

Closed Date: Aug. 21, 2015

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Kentucky led to landmark Supreme Court ruling legalizing gay marriage nationwide.

Love v. Beshear

3:13-cv-00750 | U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky

Filed Date: July 26, 2013

Closed Date: Feb. 10, 2016

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Ohio led to landmark Supreme Court ruling requiring states to recognize same-sex marriages.

Obergefell v. Hodges

1:13-cv-00501 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio

Filed Date: July 19, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Constitutional challenge to Virginia's same-sex marriage ban succeeded.

Bostic v. McDonnell

2:13-cv-00395 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

Filed Date: July 18, 2013

Closed Date: Feb. 13, 2015

Louisiana marriage equality lawsuit resolved following Obergefell decision.

Robicheaux v. Caldwell

2:13-cv-05090 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: July 16, 2013

Closed Date: 2015

Arkansas same-sex marriage lawsuit led to state's gay marriage ban being struck down as unconstitutional.

Jernigan v. Crane

4:13-cv-00410 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas

Filed Date: July 15, 2013

Closed Date: Dec. 4, 2015

Pennsylvania same-sex marriage ban struck down as unconstitutional in federal court challenge.

Whitewood v. Corbett

1:13-cv-01861 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: July 9, 2013

Closed Date: Feb. 3, 2015

Texas same-sex marriage lawsuit voluntarily dismissed due to similar case in another state.

Nuckols v. Perry

3:13-cv-00245 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

Filed Date: July 2, 2013

Closed Date: July 16, 2014

Marriage equality lawsuit challenging Arkansas's same-sex marriage ban awaits state supreme court ruling.

Wright v. Arkansas

60CV-13-2662 | Arkansas state trial court

Filed Date: July 1, 2013

Case Ongoing

Hollingsworth v. O'Connell

S211990 | California state trial court

Filed Date: June 26, 2013

Case Ongoing

Supreme Court case establishing legality of same-sex marriage in California, with subsequent failed challenges.

Challenge to California's Proposition 8 led to legalization of same-sex marriage in the state.

Dronenburg v. Brown

S212172 | California state trial court

Filed Date: June 26, 2013

Closed Date: Aug. 14, 2013

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Santa Fe County resulted in marriage license requirement.

Hanna v. Santa Fe County

D-101-CV-2013-1525 | New Mexico state trial court

Filed Date: June 6, 2013

Closed Date: 2013

PRISON CONDITIONS

Wilson v. Bruning

8:13-cv-00130 | U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska

Filed Date: April 22, 2013

Closed Date: Jan. 15, 2015

Prison lawsuit challenging visitation restrictions and same-sex marriage ban in Nebraska dismissed by federal court.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging Utah's ban led to legalization after appeals court victory.

Kitchen v. Herbert

2:13-cv-00217 | U.S. District Court for the District of Utah

Filed Date: March 25, 2013

Marriage equality lawsuit in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, succeeded in legalizing same-sex marriage statewide.

Griego v. Oliver

D-202-CV-201302757 | New Mexico state trial court

Filed Date: March 21, 2013

Closed Date: June 16, 2014

Immigration lawsuit challenging DOMA's impact on same-sex binational couples, dismissed after Windsor decision.

Partridge v. Napolitano

4:12-cv-06373 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Dec. 14, 2012

Closed Date: 2013

Harris v. Millennium Hotel

S15230 | Alaska state trial court

Filed Date: Sept. 24, 2012

Same-sex partner workers' compensation case in Alaska succeeded in challenging denial of survivor benefits.

Immigration lawsuit over same-sex marriage benefits resolved after DOMA ruling.

Aranas v. Napolitano

8:12-cv-01137 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: July 12, 2012

Roe v. Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield

7:12-cv-04788 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: June 19, 2012

Closed Date: Jan. 13, 2015

ERISA lawsuit challenging denial of health coverage to same-sex spouse was dismissed by appeals court.

North Carolina marriage equality lawsuit resulted in striking down state ban on same-sex marriage.

Fisher-Borne v. Smith

1:12-cv-00589 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina

Filed Date: June 13, 2012

Closed Date: July 25, 2018

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Cook County, Illinois, ended after state legalized gay marriage.

Lazaro v. Orr

12CH19718 and 12CH19719 | Illinois state trial court

Filed Date: May 30, 2012

Closed Date: Dec. 17, 2013

In re the estate of Thomas Proehl

27-PA-PR-12-260 | Minnesota state trial court

Filed Date: April 27, 2012

Minnesota probate case granted inheritance rights to same-sex surviving spouse despite state's marriage ban.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Nevada resulted in legalization of gay marriage after appeals court ruling.

Sevcik v. Sandoval

2:12-cv-00578 | U.S. District Court for the District of Nevada

Filed Date: April 10, 2012

Closed Date: July 24, 2015

Immigration lawsuit challenging DOMA's impact on same-sex bi-national couples, dismissed after Windsor decision.

Blesch v. Holder

1:12-cv-01578 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

Filed Date: April 2, 2012

Closed Date: Aug. 26, 2013

Cooper-Harris v. United States

2:12-cv-00887 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 1, 2012

Closed Date: 2014

Military veteran's challenge to DOMA's impact on VA benefits resulted in court striking down parts of the law.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Michigan led to landmark Supreme Court decision legalizing marriage equality (2012-2015).

DeBoer v. Snyder

2:12-cv-10285 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Jan. 23, 2012

Closed Date: 2015

Civil rights lawsuit challenging Michigan's ban on domestic partner benefits for public employees ended with injunction.

Bassett v. Snyder

2:12-cv-10038 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Filed Date: Jan. 5, 2012

Closed Date: Feb. 25, 2015

Religious freedom lawsuit against Hawaii's civil union law dismissed after legislative amendment.

Temple v. Abercrombie

1:11-cv-00790 | U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii

Filed Date: Dec. 28, 2011

Koren v. Ohio Bell Telephone Company

1:11-cv-02674 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio

Filed Date: Dec. 9, 2011

Closed Date: 2012

Employment discrimination lawsuit against Ohio Bell over firing of gay employee with AIDS settled privately.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit in Hawaii resolved after state legalized marriage equality in 2013.

Jackson v. Abercrombie

1:11-cv-00734 | U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii

Filed Date: Dec. 7, 2011

Kentucky murder case involving same-sex spousal privilege ended in guilty plea.

Commonwealth v. Clary

11-CR-3329 | Kentucky state trial court

Filed Date: Oct. 29, 2011

Closed Date: 2014

Military benefits lawsuit over same-sex marriage discrimination resolved after DOMA ruling.

McLaughlin v. Panetta

1:11-cv-11905 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: Oct. 27, 2011

Closed Date: Sept. 23, 2014

Himmelberger v. Pennsylvania

1453 CD 2011 | Pennsylvania state trial court

Filed Date: Aug. 2, 2011

Closed Date: 2012

Same-sex civil union inheritance tax case in Pennsylvania ruled in favor of state tax authorities.

New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms v. New York State Senate

New York Supreme Court | New York state supreme court

Filed Date: July 22, 2011

Closed Date: 2012

Challenge to New York's Marriage Equality Act over legislative procedures was dismissed by state courts.

Garden State Equality v. Dow

MER-L-1729-11 | New Jersey state trial court

Filed Date: June 29, 2011

Closed Date: 2013

LGBT rights lawsuit led to legalization of same-sex marriage in New Jersey

Immigration lawsuit challenging DOMA's restriction on same-sex spousal visas dismissed without prejudice in Chicago.

Revelis v. Napolitano

1:11-cv-01991 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois

Filed Date: March 23, 2011

Closed Date: Sept. 20, 2012

Same-sex couple bankruptcy case challenged DOMA's application and led to policy change allowing joint filings.

In re Balas and Morales

2:11-bk-17831 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 24, 2011

Closed Date: June 13, 2011

Immigration lawsuit challenging denial of spousal visa petition for same-sex couple in California.

Lui v. Holder

2:11-cv-01267 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Feb. 10, 2011

Closed Date: 2013

Cozen O'Connor, P.C. v. Tobits

2:11-cv-00045 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Filed Date: Jan. 4, 2011

Closed Date: Sept. 23, 2013

ERISA benefits dispute over same-sex spouse's death benefits resolved in spouse's favor after DOMA ruling.

Constitutional challenge led to Defense of Marriage Act being struck down.

Windsor v. United States

1:10-cv-08435 | U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York

Filed Date: Nov. 9, 2010

Closed Date: May 30, 2014

Pedersen v. Office of Personnel Management

3:10-cv-01750 | U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut

Filed Date: Nov. 9, 2010

Constitutional challenge to Defense of Marriage Act by same-sex couples in New England led to law being struck down.

Alaska tax discrimination lawsuit over same-sex couples' property exemptions ended with favorable ruling.

Alaska v. Schmidt

3AN-10-09519CI | Alaska state trial court

Filed Date: Aug. 3, 2010

Closed Date: Dec. 15, 2014

ACLU lawsuit seeking equal rights for same-sex couples in Hawaii led to civil unions legislation.

Young v. Lingle

1CC10-1-001621 | Hawaii state trial court

Filed Date: July 29, 2010

Closed Date: 2011

Donaldson v. State of Montana

BDV-2010-702 | Montana state trial court

Filed Date: July 22, 2010

Closed Date: Aug. 26, 2015

Montana same-sex couples' lawsuit seeking marriage benefits ended after national marriage equality ruling.

Dragovich v. U.S. Department of Treasury

4:10-cv-01564 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: April 13, 2010

Closed Date: 2015

Class action over federal benefits for same-sex couples in California resolved after marriage equality ruling.

Golinski v. U.S. Office of Personnel Management

3:10-cv-00257 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: Jan. 20, 2010

Closed Date: 2013

Federal employee lawsuit challenging DOMA's denial of same-sex spouse health benefits resulted in law being struck down.

Torres-Barragan v. Holder

2:09-cv-08564 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Nov. 20, 2009

Closed Date: April 10, 2012

Immigration discrimination lawsuit over same-sex marriage visa denial was voluntarily dismissed.

Arizona state employees' lawsuit over same-sex partner health benefits resolved after court intervention.

Diaz v. Brewer

2:09-cv-02402 | U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona

Filed Date: Nov. 17, 2009

Closed Date: 2015

Wisconsin challenge to domestic partnership registry failed in state courts.

Appling v. Walker

10-CV-4434 | Wisconsin state trial court

Filed Date: July 23, 2009

Closed Date: July 31, 2014

Massachusetts v. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

1:09-cv-11156 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: July 8, 2009

Closed Date: 2013

Massachusetts lawsuit challenging federal Defense of Marriage Act resulted in law being struck down.

Same-sex marriage challenge in California led to overturning of Proposition 8 ban and legalization statewide.

Perry v. Schwarzenegger

3:09-cv-02292 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Filed Date: May 22, 2009

Case Ongoing

Constitutional challenge to federal Defense of Marriage Act dismissed on technical grounds in California.

Smelt v. United States

8:09-cv-00286 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: March 9, 2009

Closed Date: 2009

Gill v. Office of Personnel Management

1:09-cv-10309 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 3, 2009

Closed Date: June 27, 2013

Same-sex marriage rights case in Massachusetts successfully challenged federal marriage law.

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) Plaintiffs in this case challenged Act 1 of 2008, a ballot initiative that prohibited fostering or adoption of children by unmarried couples. …

Cole v. Arkansas

CV 2008-14284 | Arkansas state trial court

Filed Date: Dec. 8, 2008

Connecticut lawsuit over parental rights in surrogacy agreement resolved in favor of intended parents.

Raftopol v. Ramey

18482 | Connecticut state trial court

Filed Date: April 15, 2008

Closed Date: 2011

Same-sex couple's lawsuit against Louisiana over amended birth certificate for adopted child denied by appeals court.

Adar v. Smith

2:07-cv-06541 | U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana

Filed Date: Oct. 9, 2007

Closed Date: 2011

Constitutional challenge to Oklahoma's same-sex marriage ban resulted in the ban being struck down.

Bishop v. United States

4:04-cv-00848 | U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma

Filed Date: Nov. 3, 2004

Closed Date: 2015

Smelt v. County of Orange

8:04-cv-01042 | U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Filed Date: Sept. 1, 2004

Closed Date: 2008

Same-sex marriage lawsuit against Orange County, California over denial of marriage license.

Same-sex marriage lawsuit challenging DOMA in Hillsborough County, Florida was dismissed by federal court.

Wilson v. Ake

8:04-cv-01680 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: July 20, 2004

Closed Date: 2005

Citizens for Equal Protection v. Bruning

4:03-cv-03155 | U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska

Filed Date: April 30, 2003

Closed Date: 2007

Constitutional challenge to Nebraska's same-sex marriage ban failed after appeals court reversal in 2006.

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) In June 2002, seven same-sex couples in New Jersey, represented by Lambda Legal, brought suit in New Jersey state court seeking marriage equal…

Lewis v. Harris

New Jersey state trial court

Filed Date: June 26, 2002

Alaska CLU v. State of Alaska

S-10459 | Alaska state trial court

Filed Date: Oct. 27, 1999

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) After the Alaska state constitution was amended to reserve marriage to opposite sex-couples in 1998, the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of nin…