In thinking about when and where briefly, I realized we still have a long way to go before it doesn't matter where we are and we can get married. Even where I am now in Tennessee, we couldn't get married here right now.With that said, I searched and gathered the following information on where it is legal for same-sex marriages and those currently dealing with appeal.
17 States Have Legal Same-Sex Marriage
6 by Court Decision
California* (June 28, 2013)
Connecticut (Nov. 12, 2008)
Iowa (Apr. 24, 2009)
Massachusetts (May 17, 2004)
New Jersey (Oct. 21, 2013)
New Mexico (Dec. 19, 2013)
8 by State Legislature
Delaware (July 1, 2013)
Hawaii (Dec. 2, 2013)
Illinois (law will take effect June 1, 2014)
Minnesota (Aug. 1, 2013)
New Hampshire (Jan. 1, 2010)
New York (July 24, 2011)
Rhode Island (Aug. 1, 2013)
Vermont (Sep. 1, 2009)
3 by Popular Vote
Maine (Dec. 29, 2012)
Maryland (Jan. 1, 2013)
Washington (Dec. 9, 2012)
•Washington, DC legalized same-sex marriage on Mar. 3, 2010.
6 with a Stay On Decision Pending Appeal
•Gay marriage became legal in Utah on Dec. 20, 2013 when a federal judge ruled that the state's gay marriage ban was unconstitutional, but on Jan. 6, 2014 the US Supreme Court put a stay on the decision pending the state's appeal.
•A federal judge ruled Oklahoma's gay marriage ban unconstitutional on Jan. 14, 2014. The Judge stayed his decision because of the anticipated appeal to the US Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver, the same court set to hear the Utah appeal.
•On Feb. 12, 2014, a federal judge ruled part of Kentucky's gay marriage ban unconstitutional. Kentucky must now recognize same-sex marriages legally performed in other states. That part of the ban was the only section challenged and the only section ruled on so gay marriage is not currently legal in Kentucky.
•On Feb. 13, 2014, a federal judge ruled Virginia's gay marriage ban unconstitutional. The judge stayed her decision because of the anticipated appeal, meaning gay marriage is not currently legal in Virginia.
•On Feb. 26, 2014, a federal judge ruled Texas' gay marriage ban unconstitutional. Judge Orlando Garcia wrote "Without a rational relation to a legitimate governmental purpose, state-imposed inequality can find no refuges in our U.S. Constitution.” He then stayed his own decision pending appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, leaving same-sex marriage illegal in Texas.
•On Mar. 21, 2014, a federal judge ruled Michigan's gay marriage ban unconstitutional. US District Judge Bernard Friedman wrote that "Today's decision... affirms the enduring principle that regardless of whoever finds favor in the eyes of the most recent majority, the guarantee of equal protection must prevail." Around 300 same-sex couples received marriage licenses before the US 6th Court of Appeals issued a stay on the decision on Mar. 22, 2014, making same-sex marriage illegal again in Michigan, pending the appeal process. On Mar. 28, 2014, US Attorney General Eric Holder stated that the marriages performed prior to the stay being issued would be recognized by the federal government: "These families will be eligible for all relevant federal benefits on the same terms as other same-sex marriages.”
Resource: ProCon (http://gaymarriage.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=004857)
Congrats on your engagement
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