5 questions and answers about same-sex marriage
BOSTON - The first legal same-sex weddings in the U.S. were held 10 years ago Saturday in Massachusetts. Since then, more than a dozen states and Washington, D.C., have followed suit, though opposition remains stiff in many other places. Some questions and answers about the issue:
---
HOW MANY SAME-SEX COUPLES ARE THERE?
Precise numbers are hard to come by because most states that allow same-sex marriages do not legally distinguish between them and heterosexual marriages. The Williams Institute, a national think tank, estimated in 2013 that more than 100,000 gay couples had married in the United States since 2004.
---
WHICH STATES HAVE GAY MARRIAGE?
Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, Iowa, New Jersey, New Mexico, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, Maine, Maryland, Washington state and the District of Columbia. Judges in Utah, Oklahoma, Texas, Virginia, Michigan, Idaho and Arkansas have struck down state bans, but officials are appealing and Arkansas was ordered Friday to halt same-sex marriages again. Judges have ordered Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other states.
---
WHICH COUNTRIES ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE?
Argentina, Belgium, Britain, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden and Uruguay allow same-sex marriage nationwide. The United States and Mexico allow it in some regions.
---
HAVE ANY PREDICTIONS COME TRUE?
Both sides generally agree that 10 years is not enough time to study any broad effects of same-sex marriage.
Opponents say children need a mother and a father, but the American Psychological Association says the majority of studies that have compared gay parents with heterosexual parents show that the children of same-sex couples are just as psychologically healthy as the children of heterosexual couples.
Supporters of gay marriage have claimed they're a financial boon for participating states, but only limited studies have been done of economic effects. A study by the Williams Institute found that during the first five years of same-sex weddings in Massachusetts, the state economy saw a $111 million boost from spending on weddings and by guests at hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions.
---
WHAT ARE THE NEXT BATTLEGROUNDS?
Lawsuits are pending in at least 30 states. Some current battleground states include Virginia, Utah and Pennsylvania.
In Utah, a voter-approved ban was overturned by a federal judge in December. Hundreds of couples rushed to marry before courts could intervene. A ruling is expected within months from a federal appeals court.
In Virginia, a federal judge in February struck down a state constitutional amendment barring gay marriage. A federal appeals panel heard arguments Tuesday, and a decision is expected within months.
In Pennsylvania, various aspects of a 1996 state law that bans recognition of same-sex marriage are being challenged by at least six different lawsuits in state and federal courts.