Posted on May 15, 2008 | by Michael Foust

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (BP)--Six state supreme courts within the past five years have ruled on the issue of "gay marriage." Following is a timeline of those decisions:

May 15, 2008 -- California Supreme Court, in 4-3 ruling, orders state to legalize "gay marriage," saying marriage must be "available both to opposite-sex and same-sex couples." Ruling overturns law that 61 percent of voters had approved.

Sept. 18, 2007 -- Maryland's highest court, in 4-3 decision, refuses to legalize "gay marriage," saying the state has a "legitimate governmental interest" in "fostering procreation" by limiting marriage to one man and one woman.

Oct. 25, 2006 -- New Jersey Supreme Court, in 4-3 ruling, refuses to legalize "gay marriage" but orders the legislature to amend state law to give homosexual couples the legal benefits of marriage. Legislature subsequently legalizes same-sex civil unions. Three dissenting justices criticize ruling, saying "gay marriage" should be legalized, without an option for civil unions.

July 26, 2006 -- Washington state Supreme Court, in 5-4 ruling, refuses to legalize "gay marriage," saying that "limiting marriage to opposite-sex couples furthers procreation, essential to the survival of the human race."

July 6, 2006 -- New York state's highest court, in 4-2 decision, refuses to legalize "gay marriage," saying that "intuition and experience suggest that a child benefits from having before his or her eyes, every day, living models of what both a man and a woman are like."

May 17, 2004 -- Massachusetts court ruling takes effect, making Massachusetts the first state in nation to legalize "gay marriage."

Nov. 18, 2003 -- Massachusetts' high court, in 4-3 decision, rules that the state's traditional marriage laws violate the state's constitution and that "gay marriage" must be legalized. Court stays its opinion 180 days.
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Michael Foust is an assistant editor of Baptist Press.