Same-Sex Marriage and the Changing Face of America

See how the contentious issue has evolved.

NORFOLK, VA - FEBRUARY 4:  Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (C) speaks at a press conference after attending oral arguments in the case of Bostic v Rainey, in the MacArthur Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel on February 4, 2014 in Norfolk, Virginia, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring concluded that Virginia's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and he will no longer defend it in federal lawsuits.  (Photo: Jay Paul/Getty Images)

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NORFOLK, VA - FEBRUARY 4:  Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring (C) speaks at a press conference after attending oral arguments in the case of Bostic v Rainey, in the MacArthur Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel on February 4, 2014 in Norfolk, Virginia, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring concluded that Virginia's ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional and he will no longer defend it in federal lawsuits.  (Photo: Jay Paul/Getty Images)

Luke Barlowe, front left, his partner, Jim Meade, rear left, Randy Johnson, front right, and hia partner Paul Campion answer questions from reporters following the announcement from U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn striking down Kentucky's same-sex marriage ban Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. Heyburn stated that the state's law approv2ed by voters in 2004 treated "gay and lesbian persons differently in a way that demeans them." (Photo:Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo)

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Luke Barlowe, front left, his partner, Jim Meade, rear left, Randy Johnson, front right, and hia partner Paul Campion answer questions from reporters following the announcement from U.S. District Judge John G. Heyburn striking down Kentucky's same-sex marriage ban Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. Heyburn stated that the state's law approv2ed by voters in 2004 treated "gay and lesbian persons differently in a way that demeans them." (Photo:Timothy D. Easley/AP Photo)

An Evolving Issue - The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday that it would hear cases concerning same-sex marriage, including the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages even in states where it is legal, and California's Proposition 8. Keep reading for a look at how the issue has evolved around the country. – Britt Middleton (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

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An Evolving Issue - The U.S. Supreme Court announced on Friday that it would hear cases concerning same-sex marriage, including the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, which prevents the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages even in states where it is legal, and California's Proposition 8. Keep reading for a look at how the issue has evolved around the country. – Britt Middleton (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

What is Proposition 8? - California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008. The ballot referendum redefined marriage as between a man and a woman, therefore overturning a previous ruling by California's Supreme Court allowing same-sex unions to be recognized in the state.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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What is Proposition 8? - California voters approved Proposition 8 in 2008. The ballot referendum redefined marriage as between a man and a woman, therefore overturning a previous ruling by California's Supreme Court allowing same-sex unions to be recognized in the state.  (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

National Support - Support for marriage equality has continued to grow in recent years and is currently at its highest levels, according to a Gallup poll released on Dec. 5. Fifty-three percent of adults said same-sex marriage should be recognized by law as valid with the same rights as traditional marriage. Forty-six percent of respondents said they opposed it because of religious beliefs and/or interpretation of biblical passages dealing with same-sex relations. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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National Support - Support for marriage equality has continued to grow in recent years and is currently at its highest levels, according to a Gallup poll released on Dec. 5. Fifty-three percent of adults said same-sex marriage should be recognized by law as valid with the same rights as traditional marriage. Forty-six percent of respondents said they opposed it because of religious beliefs and/or interpretation of biblical passages dealing with same-sex relations. (Photo: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

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President Obama Backs Same-Sex Marriage - Marriage equality remained a contentious issue during the 2012 election cycle. President Obama became the first U.S. president to publicly endorse same-sex marriage during an interview with ABC News in May. However, he said that the decision to legalize same-sex unions should be left to the states. (Photo: Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images)

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President Obama Backs Same-Sex Marriage - Marriage equality remained a contentious issue during the 2012 election cycle. President Obama became the first U.S. president to publicly endorse same-sex marriage during an interview with ABC News in May. However, he said that the decision to legalize same-sex unions should be left to the states. (Photo: Pete Souza/White House Photo via Getty Images)

Recent Victories for Marriage Equality - On Nov. 6, Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first states to pass same-sex marriage by popular vote. New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia have already passed laws or issued court rulings recognizing same-sex marriage. (Photo: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

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Recent Victories for Marriage Equality - On Nov. 6, Washington, Maine and Maryland became the first states to pass same-sex marriage by popular vote. New York, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and the District of Columbia have already passed laws or issued court rulings recognizing same-sex marriage. (Photo: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

Tammy Baldwin's Big Win - In another milestone considered a huge feat for gay marriage activists, Wisconsin congressman Tammy Baldwin made history Nov. 6 by being elected the country's first openly gay U.S. senator.(Photo: AP Photo/Andy Manis)

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Tammy Baldwin's Big Win - In another milestone considered a huge feat for gay marriage activists, Wisconsin congressman Tammy Baldwin made history Nov. 6 by being elected the country's first openly gay U.S. senator.(Photo: AP Photo/Andy Manis)

Marriage Equality in the Military - The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Sept. 2011 lifted the ban on openly gay servicemen and women from serving in the military. The Cadet Chapel at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York held its first same-sex wedding on Dec. 1, 2012,  bringing together West Point graduate Brenda Sue Fulton and spouse Penelope Gnesin, pictured above. (Photo: AP Photo/Outserve-SLDN, Jeff Sheng)

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Marriage Equality in the Military - The repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell in Sept. 2011 lifted the ban on openly gay servicemen and women from serving in the military. The Cadet Chapel at the prestigious U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York held its first same-sex wedding on Dec. 1, 2012,  bringing together West Point graduate Brenda Sue Fulton and spouse Penelope Gnesin, pictured above. (Photo: AP Photo/Outserve-SLDN, Jeff Sheng)

Challenges Ahead - Most recently, North Carolina joined 30 other states to amend their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage. (Photo: Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

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Challenges Ahead - Most recently, North Carolina joined 30 other states to amend their constitutions to ban same-sex marriage. (Photo: Sara D. Davis/Getty Images)

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Under Fire in the Mainstream - Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, came under fire in July after he said same-sex marriage was "inviting God's judgment," spawning a wave backlash and boycotts of the popular fast food chain around the country. Chick-fil-A was also criticized for its history of supporting anti-gay groups. (Photo: Robert MacPherson/AFP/GettyImages)

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Under Fire in the Mainstream - Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, came under fire in July after he said same-sex marriage was "inviting God's judgment," spawning a wave backlash and boycotts of the popular fast food chain around the country. Chick-fil-A was also criticized for its history of supporting anti-gay groups. (Photo: Robert MacPherson/AFP/GettyImages)

Bridging Boundaries - Mormonsandgays.org, a website from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, outlines the church's stance on the issue and features "conversations with Church members who are attracted to people of the same sex, and conversations with the loved ones of gay spouses, children, or grandchildren who are dealing with the effects of same-sex attraction in their own lives," according to the website. (Photo: George Frey/Getty Images)

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Bridging Boundaries - Mormonsandgays.org, a website from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, outlines the church's stance on the issue and features "conversations with Church members who are attracted to people of the same sex, and conversations with the loved ones of gay spouses, children, or grandchildren who are dealing with the effects of same-sex attraction in their own lives," according to the website. (Photo: George Frey/Getty Images)