- It has been difficult to keep up with the changing laws regarding gay and lesbian marriages and unions in many states. Some states have had same-sex marriage proposals pass in ballot voting, only to be overturned by state government. Other states have had their government pass laws that have been later overturned by voters. As of March, 2011, the states or regions that issue marriage licenses to gay and lesbian couples are Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia.
- Beyond the five states and the District of Columbia where ceremonies are held, there are other states that recognize the marriages or support civil unions. New York and Maryland do not issue marriage licenses or perform legal ceremonies, but do recognize marriages performed elsewhere as legal and valid. States that support civil unions or domestic partnerships include Illinois, Hawaii, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon and Washington. California recognizes marriages that took place between June and November of 2008, before the passed bill was overturned. All marriages since then are currently recognized as domestic partnerships.
- Canada began legalizing gay marriage province by province in 2003. In 2005, it was announced that same-sex marriages could be performed and would be legally recognized throughout the entire country of Canada. South American countries have passed laws supporting gay marriage as well. Mexico City passed a law in March 2010 allowing gay and lesbian marriages to take place within the city. While no other towns in Mexico perform marriages, Mexico's supreme court voted that Mexico City marriages be recognized throughout the country. In Argentina, gay marriage has been legal in Buenos Aires and Rio Negro since 2003. In 2010, it was legalized throughout all of Argentina.
- European nations have been the leaders of the pack in regards to same-sex unions. In the Netherlands, gay marriages have been performed and recognized as legal since 2001. Belgium was not far behind, making gay marriage legal in 2003. Spain has been performing civil union ceremonies since the 1990s and passed a law to officially make gay marriage legal in 2005. Many other European countries offer civil unions or partnerships, like Germany, France and England, just to name a few.
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