The Essential Guide to Gay and Lesbian Weddings (19 page)

December 5, 2005:
The United Kingdom's legalization of civil partnerships comes into force, with the first ceremony taking place in Northern Ireland two weeks later, followed by ceremonies in England and Wales.

July 23, 2006:
Slovenia's same-sex civil union law takes effect.

November 28, 2006:
South Africa approves legislation recognizing same-sex marriage. Homosexual couples are legally able to married as of December 1.

January 1, 2007:
In Switzerland, a law of civil unions takes effect.

July 22, 2007:
Gay domestic partnerships are legalized in Washington state.

January 1, 2008:
Civil unions in Uruguay and the state of New Hampshire take effect.

February 1, 2008:
Domestic partnership for same-sex couples takes effect in the state of Oregon.

June 16, 2008:
Following a California Supreme Court ruling that strikes down existing statutes limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples, Phyllis Lyon marries Del Martin, her partner of fifty-five years, in a ceremony performed by Gavin Newsom at San Francisco City Hall. Fellow activists Robin Tyler and Diane Olson tie the knot in Beverly Hills. By November 3, more than 18,000 same-sex couples wed in California.

July 1, 2008:
Maryland's domestic partnership laws become effective.

October 10, 2008:
The Supreme Court of Connecticut rules that same-sex couples have the right to marry, and on November 12 same-sex marriages begin to be officially performed.

November 4, 2008:
Voters in California, Arizona, and Florida approve the passage of measures that ban same-sex marriage.

November 15, 2008:
Join the Impact launches simultaneous nationwide city hall demonstrations to protest the antigay ballot initiatives that won on Election Day. Hundreds of thousands of LGBT people and allies take to the streets and demand equality.