SSM: A Chronology of Major Developments in the U.S.

I have discovered that my students (old and young) are quite unfamiliar with the chronology of events, rulings, laws, and policies employed in support of heterosexual marriage and in support of same-sex marriage. That being said, the following chronology is intended to provide a skeletal accounting for major decisions that led up to the Church’s announced policy addressing same-sex marriage. Again, this chronology is not comprehensive but intended only to provide historical hooks upon which a greater and more detailed chronology may be hung.

1991    Hawaii denies marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Challenged in court but did not succeed in the defense.

1995    The Family: A Proclamation to the World is released.

1996    DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) enacted defining heterosexual marriage as the only marriage recognized by the federal government.

2000    Proposition 22 passed in California defining marriage between a man and a woman to be the only marriages recognized by the state. It passed 61% to 39%.

2001    The Netherlands becomes the first nation on earth to legalized same-sex marriage.

2007    The Church issues “God Loveth His Children” as an address to same-sex attraction.

2008    May: California Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is a Constitutional right.

2008    November: Proposition 8 passes by a vote of the people of California by a margin of 52% to 48%. This amends the state Constitution and defined marriage as between a man and a woman.

2009    Salt Lake City Council passes an ordinance that protected housing, employment, and medical care for gays. The ordinance was openly supported by the Church.

2010    District Judge Vaughn Walker rules that the amendment to California’s state Constitution (resulting from Proposition 8) was unconstitutional.

2012    Church launched www.mormonsandgays.org.

2013    California Supreme Court upholds Judge Vaughn Walker’s ruling against Proposition 8.

2013    Church responds indicating a concern over the voice of the people being marginalized by decisions from the bench.

2013    The U.S. Supreme Court strikes down DOMA (U.S. v. Windsor) giving marital benefits to all same-sex married couples at the federal level.

2015    March: Church supports Utah legislation intended to protect gays (housing, employment, medical care) while simultaneously protecting religious liberties.

2015    June: U.S. Supreme Court rules that same-sex marriage is legal nation-wide. (Obergefell et. al. v. Hodges, Director, Ohio Department of Health et. al.)

2015    July: Church reevaluates relationship with Boy Scouts of America at the announcement that gays may serve as leaders over boys in the organization.

2015    August: Church announces that it will maintain ties with the Boy Scouts of America.

2015    October: Dallin H. Oaks speaks to the Second Annual Sacramento Court/Clergy Conference. In his comments he explains that Kim Davis (Clerk in Rowan County, Kentucky) was wrong to withhold marriage licenses to same-sex couples based upon her religious convictions. Oaks explained that her role as a civil officer trumps her religious faith in that situation.

2015    November 5: Church issues policy indicating that same-sex marriage is situated under the canopy of apostasy and that children living with parents engaged in same-sex marriage may not receive covenant ordinances in the Church until they reach the age of 18 and disavow the practice of same-sex marriage.