A look at places that grant rights to same-sex couples

The Associated Press

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive

Among other states, Vermont has gone furthest by instituting civil unions, which, at the state level, extend marriage-like rights and responsibilities to same-sex couples.

California, Hawaii and New Jersey also grant various state-level spousal rights to same-sex couples registered as domestic partners.

In San Francisco, more than 3,200 same-sex couples have been married since Mayor Gavin Newsom decided to give out the licenses Feb. 12. However, state officials are moving to overturn those marriages.

In Cleveland Heights, Ohio, the nation's first voter-approved domestic partner registry went into effect in January. However, the recognition is not binding on courts, governments or employers — and is being challenged in a lawsuit.

Same-sex marriages are recognized in the Netherlands, Belgium and parts of Canada; many Western European countries have some form of civil unions.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company