Signs of the Times: Gay Marriage and the Supreme Court
Same-sex marriage by the numbers.
1 / 11
DOMA Ruled Unconstitutional - In a 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act of 1996 and ruled it as unconstitutional on June 26. The decision extends federal benefits to same-sex couples legally married in their states. The court also ruled out Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in California. Click through to check out some of the signs made by impassioned supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage and read about gay marriage by the numbers. (Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
2 / 11
Same-Sex Marriage Debate - People slept on the streets of Washington, D.C., for days to ensure they were able to witness first-hand the Supreme Court hearing opening arguments on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage. On Tuesday, justices heard lawyers debate the gay marriage ban in California and the next day they convened to hear challenges to the Defense of Marriage Act (1996). (Photo: REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst)
3 / 11
Marriage Equality - The Associated Press broke down gay marriage by the numbers: About 9 million: The number of Americans who are gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, according to a 2011 study by a scholar at the UCLA School of Law's Williams Institute. (Photo: AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
4 / 11
Number Nine - Nine, plus the District of Columbia: The number of states that issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The states are Connecticut, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont and Washington. (Photo: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)
5 / 11
Opposing Marriage Equality - 30: The number of states, including California, that ban same-sex marriage in their state constitutions. Ten states bar them under state laws. New Mexico law is silent on the issue. (Photo: AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
ADVERTISEMENT