Marriage Equality

When did equality in marriage begin to gain traction in the US?

According to Historian Stephanie Coontz, the early 20th century marked a monumental change in the history of marriage and the view of subordinate females. In 1920 women received the right to vote. This resulted in a newfound sense of equality. It transformed the traditional family structure wherein a dominant male was considered absolute head of the household, to one in which two individuals had equal citizenship. Unfortunately, that was not always honored behind closed doors. Interracial marriage was legalized in 1960. Marital rape was recognized in 1970. June 26, 2015, marked the date when the US Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriages must be recognized nationwide and given the same equal rights that heterosexual couples receive.