The changing landscape of same-sex marriage

Updated: June 26, 2015

Before Friday’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges legalized same-sex marriage in all states, proponents of same-sex marriage had had a string of successes around the country. Before Friday’s Supreme Court action, 37 states, plus the District of Columbia, allowed same-sex marriage, and 13 states had bans. Read related stories.

Select a state on the right to learn more about the pre-Obergefell status of same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage legal before Obergefell v. Hodges
Not legal before Obergefell v. Hodges

Overall, the percentage of people who are supportive of gay marriage has increased over the years.

Over half of the American public has expressed support for same-sex marriage since 2011, according to a Washington Post-ABC News poll. The most recent poll, conducted in April 2015, shows that support has exceeded 60 percent for the first time.

Opinion over time

Percent who support, by age

Percent who support, by party

State-level support

State-level data courtesy of the Public Religion Research Institute. The data shows that more than half of the states express majority support for same-sex marriage.

NOTE: March 2013 and previous asked "legal" or "illegal"; Aug. 5, 2012 Post-Kaiser poll; Aug. 29, 2004 among registered voters; Wording for 2004 and earlier was "homosexual couples."

SOURCES: Public Religion Research Institute, SCOTUSblog, National Conference of State Legislatures, Washington Post-ABC News polls and news reports. Published Dec. 7, 2012.