Wikipedia Talk Page: Ugliest Same-Sex Marriage Map

On this Wikipedia File Talk page, there is an lively discussion regarding this spectacularly ugly version of the same-sex marriage map:


If I gave out awards for least useful and/or least aesthetically pleasing map, this would certainly be it. Why is New England separate from the rest of the landmass? And do those triangle signs contribute anything? A snippet of some of the discussion on this page (accessed July 9, 2009):

DYM SUM Blog: Color-coded US and Europe Maps

David Yale Mailloux (who maintains the excellent DYM SUM Blog) regularly updates this nicely color-coded map indicating the current status of same-sex couple recognition in the US and Europe. See the website for full explanation and notes.

Here's a snapshot of what the US map looks like (accessed July 9, 2009):


And here's Europe (accessed July 9, 2009):

The State News: Interactive Map

This interactive map at The State News derives its information from the NPR interactive map. Both maps strangely do not include California's domestic partnerships on the map (although if you click the NPR map it does indicate that domestic partnerships do exist in California).

This is The State News map (accessed July 8, 2009).

2010 Census: Counting Same Sex Couples (Pioneer Press)

A bit of tangent from the rest of the blog, but the Pioneer Press (Twin Cities, MN) ran this article with stats and a map concerning the changes that will occur in the US Census of 2010. The Census Bureau has said it will now count same-sex couples who report themselves as married.

Here's a snapshot of the map.

Same Sex Marriages in Toronto (Toronto Star)

From the Toronto Star, an interesting feature: an article with charts and maps showing the distribution of same-sex couples in Toronto. This includes separate Google maps for female couples and male couples.

Here's a snapshot of map of female couples:

Here's a detail of the male couples map (you can scroll over each map for more information).

Tony Romm: Mapping Gay Marriage on Google Maps

Tony Romm has produced this cool map of same-sex marriage (same-sex couple recognition) in the US using Google Maps. It looks like a great start - although some corrections and updates are still required (accessed June 21, 2009).

I like the use of colors and clear legend - this is a screenshot:

Same Sex Marriage in the USA: Greg Stoll Map

Greg Stoll has created this great map of same-sex marriage status in the USA. It bears the same red/green color scheme as the LA Times interactive chronology but this map provides more extensive and nicely color-coded information. Here's a screenshot of the main page (as of June 21, 2009):

Here's a projected view of how things will look by January 2010:

Reuters Gay Marriage Website: Interactive Map and Timeline

Reuters has created this Gay Marriage Website that consolidates recent marriage equality news. You can find an informative timeline and interactive map on this page that allows you to view the current status of marriage equality in the US. Here's a general screenshot:

You can scroll over a state to see the status; see for instance Iowa:

Another Anti-Gay Map

OK, I know I originally said I'd post only one anti-gay map but here is another. This interactive map is courtesy of the Alliance "Defense" Fund's "DOMA watch" website; this group seeks to uphold DOMA and prevent same-sex marriage recognition:

It appears this map is not updated often (appears to be current only as of January-ish 2009). Click on a state to see the prohibitions/restrictions on the books.

ALCU: 10 Couples + Interactive Map

The ACLU has a "10 Couples" Website where you can view video interviews of various same-sex couples throughout the US. There's also an interactive map you can use, although for some reason it doesn't map all the couples properly (as of today, June 21, 2009). Still very interesting though.

Here's a screenshot of the interactive map:

And here's a screenshot featuring the 10 couples:

Fox Carolina: Interactive Map

The Fox Carolina news website presents this "Gay Marriage State-by-State" interactive map. I typically try to avoid FOX news, but in this case I do like the clear, single-color format (darkest blue = full equality). Scroll over a state to read about its current status (it doesn't look like it's exactly up-to-date; this is what it looked like as of June 21, 2009):

LawServer: Interactive Map Graphic

The LawServer website provides this great interactive map that allows you to trace the current status of same-sex marriage. I include a snapshot showing the status for California (website accessed June 21, 2009).

Wikipedia Map...Now with US Territories!

You can go here to see the current SSM map of the USA from Wikipedia - now with US territories included. There is also a very useful chart keeping track of current status of legislation in the individual states.

Map Scroll: Public Support for Gay Rights

This post at Map Scroll indicates that in most states public support for gay rights is ahead of state policy; this series of maps is quite striking (see the original posting for the full explanation of maps below):

Where They Stand (Map and Data)

This looks like it will be a fantastic website; it keeps track of the current status of same sex marriage AND compiles a list of where individual state and federal officials stand on the issue - accessed here (June 2009).

Insulting Anti-Gay Map

I include only one anti-gay map here: the Family Research Council, which insultingly puts same-sex marriage and civil unions in "scare quotes." I think if they insist on calling it same-sex "marriage" then we should call them the "Family" Research Council (or Family "Research" Council). The website claims it's updated daily - you can access it here (although this recent map actually only shows very early 2009 status, I think).

Economist Graphic

This map accompanied an article in the Economist; I very much like that it indicates not only the legal status of same sex couples by state but HOW the status was achieved in each case - accessed here (May 14, 2009).

NPR Interactive Map

This surprisingly sensationalizing map ("Battle Over Gay Marriage!!!") comes from the NPR website; you can click each state to see its current status - accessed here (June 6, 2009).

LA Times Interactive Timeline

The LA Times has this great animated timeline of same sex couple recognition ("gay marriage chronology"), using Green for "go" (recognition) and Red for "stop" (prohibitions). It goes from 2000 to very early June 2009 - accessed here (June 2009).

SF Chronicle Graphic

This is apparently a "one off" map from the SF Chronicle and indicates the status of same sex couple recognition as of June 6, 2009 (quite generous map, but a few omissions: i.e., various degrees of recognition in CO, DC, and MD).

Stateline Graphic

Stateline has periodic updates on the status of same sex marriage recognition in the US, and its maps are updated every so often - read the accompanying article here, which was accessed here (June 4, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: Australia Map

Here's a Wikipedia map indicating the status of same sex couple recognition in Australia; see website for guide to the color code - accessed here (June 12, 2008).

Wikipedia Map: Europe Map

Here's a Wikipedia map indicating the status of same sex couple recognition in Europe (darkest blue = full marriage equality); see website for color code - accessed here (June 9, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: World Map

This Wikipedia map shows laws regarding homosexuality and same-sex couple recognition across the world (darkest blue = full equality); this is updated relatively often (as the legal status shifts), see website for color scheme details - accessed here (June 4, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: North America Map

Another Wikipedia map of same sex couple recognition across all of North America (red = least recognition, blue = most); this is updated quite often; see website for color code scheme - accessed here (June 11, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: USA Status Map

From Wikipedia, an apparently very influential map of same sex couple recognition (AKA marriage equality, or "gay marriage"); darkest blue = full marriage equality, darkest red = recognition strongly prohibited; UPDATED QUITE OFTEN, see website for color scheme details - accessed here (June 12, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: USA Recognition

This Wikipedia map shows "positive" recognition of same sex couples (darkest blue = full marriage equality, lighter blue = various levels); this is updated relatively often (as legal shifts occur); see the website for the color code breakdown - accessed here (accessed June 10, 2009).

Wikipedia Map: USA Prohibitions

This Wikipedia Map indicates prohibitions against recognition of same sex couples (darker red = more restrictions); see the website for the color code explanation - accessed here (May 3, 2009).

Wall Street Journal Interactive Map

The Wall Street Journal provides this interactive map, which allows you to click each state and see its status. It sidesteps tricky "gay (same-sex) marriage" vs. "marriage equality" nomenclature issues by calling it "Legal Patchwork" instead - accessed here (June 3, 2009).

Bond Magazine: World

Another beautiful pink map from Bond Magazine (again based on a Wikpedia map). This is the World page, indicating all forms of recognition for same sex couples - accessed here (May 7, 2009).

Bond Magazine: USA

Bond Magazine provides these beautiful, clean pink maps (based upon the Wikipedia maps). This is the USA page indicating all forms of recognition for same sex couples - accessed here (May 27, 2009).

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force tweaks the classic "boy/girl" color scheme to a new purpose - this map of same sex couple recognition was accessed here (June 12, 2009).

Human Rights Campaign

The Human Rights Campaign map is very similar to the Freedom To Marry map (even in color scheme), but it includes slightly different information - this map tends to be updated quite often (which legal shifts occur) and this one was accessed here (June 4, 2009).

Freedom to Marry

Freedom To Marry offers this map. It tends to be the most "generous" in what it includes regarding same sex couple recognition - accessed here (June 3, 2009).

Marriage Equality Maps

In honor of LGBT Pride Month and the 40th anniversary of Stonewall, I have created this blog of online maps of marriage equality (a.k.a. same-sex marriage, gay marriage, same-sex couple relationship recognition, etc.). Each of the posts will include a snapshot of a map and a short description - and a link so you can find the map yourself.