Marriage is a powerful legal and social institution that protects and supports intimate family relationships by providing a unique set of rights, privileges, and benefits. However, with the exception of the following states:

• Connecticut
• Iowa
• Maine
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• New Hampshire
• New York
• Vermont
• Washington
• Washington, DC
• Coquille Indian Tribe (Oregon)

same-sex couples are currently denied the right to marry in every state in the United States.

Since 2000, PFLAG has had an official policy statement on marriage equality that states its opposition to any attempts at either the federal or state level to introduce constitutional amendments restricting marriage to heterosexual couples, rendering LGBT people second-class citizens.

Understanding the Issue:

• Rights, Privileges, and Benefits of Marriage
• Cost of Marriage Inequality
• Marriage Q and A

Federal Opposition To Marriage Equality:

• Federal Marriage Amendment
• Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA)

State Opposition To Marriage Equality:

• PFLAG Takes Lead in Three New York Marriage Case Briefs

Additional Marriage Resources:

• Links to other organizations and groups on this issue