Same-sex Unions in The United States

Same-sex unions in the United States are legally recognized in some states and municipalities in various forms. These are same-sex marriage, civil unions, domestic partnerships, and reciprocal beneficiary relationships. Legally recognized same-sex unions can be formed in nineteen states and the District of Columbia. None of these relationships, however, are recognized under federal law.

Hawaii was the first state to legally recognize same-sex unions, doing so in 1997 in the form of reciprocal beneficiary partnerships.

Read more about Same-sex Unions In The United States:  Federal Law, Same-sex Marriage, Civil Unions, Domestic Partnerships, Employment Benefits, See Also

Famous quotes containing the words united states, unions, united and/or states:

    I am a freeman, an American, a United States Senator, and a Democrat, in that order.
    Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)

    The newly-formed clothing unions are ready to welcome her; but woman shrinks back from organization, Heaven knows why! It is perhaps because in organization one find the truest freedom, and woman has been a slave too long to know what freedom means.
    Katharine Pearson Woods (1853–1923)

    In the larger view the major forces of the depression now lie outside of the United States, and our recuperation has been retarded by the unwarranted degree of fear and apprehension created by these outside forces.
    Herbert Hoover (1874–1964)

    During the first World War women in the United States had a chance to try their capacities in wider fields of executive leadership in industry. Must we always wait for war to give us opportunity? And must the pendulum always swing back in the busy world of work and workers during times of peace?
    Mary Barnett Gilson (1877–?)