1724: Article VIII of the Louisiana Black Code forbids marriages between slaves without the consent of the slave master.
1865: Section 3 of the Mississippi Black Code prohibits blacks from marrying whites "and any person who shall so intermarry shall be deemed guilty of felony, and on conviction thereof shall be confined in the State penitentiary for life."
Oct. 1, 1948: In Perez v. Sharp, the California Supreme Court becomes the first state court to strike down laws against interracial marriage.
Jun. 12, 1967: In Loving v. Virginia, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down laws that prohibited interracial marriage.
July 12, 1996: The U.S. House of Representatives passes the "Defense of Marriage Act."
Jun. 26, 2003: In Lawrence vs. Texas, the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down anti-gay sodomy laws in Texas and other states.
Oct. 25, 2003: Rep. John Lewis, writing in an op-ed in the Boston Globe, calls for an end to discrimination in marriage.
Nov. 18, 2003: In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court holds that barring an individual from the protections, benefits, and obligations of civil marriage solely because that person would marry a person of the same sex violates the Massachusetts Constitution.
Nov. 18, 2003: Rev. William Sinkford, a black minister and president of the Unitarian Universalist Church, applauds the decision of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court.
Nov. 24, 2003: Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun states her support for marriage equality during the presidential candidates' debate in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nov. 24, 2003: Rev. Al Sharpton states his support for marriage equality during the presidential candidates' debate in Des Moines, Iowa.
Nov. 25, 2003: Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and four co-sponsors introduce an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to deny marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Dec. 8, 2003: The National Black Justice Coalition announces a campaign to build black support for marriage equality.
Feb. 2, 2004: Civil rights leader Julian Bond announces his support for marriage equality.
Feb. 3, 2004: Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court says civil unions only provide "second-class citizen status."
