The push for marriage equality in the USA is gaining momentum, with five states now offering legal same-sex marriages and several others set to follow in coming months.
In recent weeks Iowa, Vermont and Maine all passed legislation legalising same-sex marriage, joining Massachusetts and Connecticut, who passed their laws in 2004 and 2008.
The decision in Iowa was made by the Supreme Court, whereas both Vermont and Maine, respectively, have been important benchmarks as the first states to legalise same-sex marriage through the legislature, as opposed to a court ruling.
A ruling by the Supreme Court of California in 2008 made same-sex marriage legal in that state for a brief period, until it was overturned by the public in the controversial vote on Proposition 8 (a constitutional amendment titled Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Act).
California is now one of 29 states in the US in which same-sex marriage is banned.
According to Josh Rosenthal from the Centre for American Progress, states which have made amendments to their constitutions face a much tougher fight for marriage equality.
‘While state courts can overturn laws banning marriage, it is very difficult for a court to overturn a Constitutional amendment,’ he said.
‘For those 29 states, it will require either new Constitutional amendments or a US Supreme Court decision to achieve marriage equality.’
Despite making rapid progress, marriage equality campaigners and activists can not afford to let down their guard down, with groups such as the Maine Marriage Coalition already planning a campaign to have the bill repealed.
‘There is no doubt that we must keep a close watch on our opponents who continue to pull out all the stops to sabotage our progress,’ says Trevor Thomas from The Human Rights Campaign.
‘However, it’s happening, steadily and irrevocably, and more Americans, from all walks of life are supporting the constant quest of our country’s history: equality for all.’
Mr Rosenthal agrees that despite opposition from conservative groups, every step towards marriage equality is an exciting moment.
‘As more Americans see same-sex marriages, they realise that it is not the problem that anti-gay scaremongers make it out to be.
‘(Same-sex) marriage is a very generational issue. Younger Americans are highly supportive of equal marriage rights, and I am confident that we will eventually have marriage in every state.’
New Hampshire and New York are tipped as the next states to legalise same-sex marriage, with campaigns also under way in Washington, New Jersey and Illinois.
‘Our movement for acceptance and equality has come significantly far in 30 years,’ said Mr Thomas.
‘I think at this time our community is at some sort of tipping point.’
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