Davidson County judge rules private sexual acts between same-sex adults is protected by Tennessee Constitution's right of privacy, overturning state's 1989 sodomy law.

National poll finds only 33 percent of voters support same-sex marriage, even though it's illegal in all 50 states.

ACLU agrees to review case of same-sex couple who tried to rent UTC's Patten Chapel for a holy-union commitment ceremony.

Decennial U.S. Census counts 1,189 same-sex households in Tennessee, and same-sex couples in all of the state's 95 counties.

U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp and 95 other House members sign resolution seeking U.S. Constitutional amendment limiting marriage to one man and one woman.

U.S. Representative Zach Wamp gives his acceptance speech with his family at the Chattanoogan after beingelected to serve another term. Staff Photo by Kathleen Greeson

Massachusetts Judicial Supreme Court rules that state's ban on gay marriage unconstitutional.

Lawmakers in Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama debate bills to outlaw same-sex unions, civil unions and domestic partnerships.

Chattanooga couple Bill Watson and Jason McDowell, married the previous month in San Francisco, vow legal battle to get their marriage recognized in Tennessee.

Bill Watson, left, and Jason McDowell, right, are seen in their home with Mr. McDowell's five-year-old nephew, Adam Gilliam, Tuesday in Chattanooga, Tenn. The couple were married in San Francisco, Calif., last month and plan to challenge Tennessee's same-sex marriage laws. Staff Photo by Lido Vizzutti

Rhea County commissioners pass resolution allowing gays to be charged with “crimes against nature” and said gays should be expelled from the county.

Tennessee House passes bill to amend constitution and ban same-sex marriage. The Senate follows suit the same month.

The Tennessee House of Representatives meets on the opening day of the 108th General Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. Key legislation expected to come up this session includes a measure to allow wine in supermarkets and proposals allowing teachers to be armed. Associated Press/Mark Humphrey.

More than 80 percent of Tennesseans oppose same-sex marriage in a statewide poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research Inc.

Proposed constitutional ban fails in U.S. House, but entire Tennessee delegation votes for the ban.

Second step of Tennessee constitutional ban easily passes state House and Senate, which puts measure on November 2006 ballot.

The Tennessee House of Representatives meets on the opening day of the 108th General Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. Key legislation expected to come up this session includes a measure to allow wine in supermarkets and proposals allowing teachers to be armed. Associated Press/Mark Humphrey.

American Psychiatric Association votes to support same-sex marriage and benefits “in the interest of maintaining and promoting mental health.”

U.S. House again rejects proposed constitutional amendmenet to ban same-sex marriage.

For the first time, a majority of Fortune 500 companies offer the same benefits to same-sex partners as to heterosexual couples.

State Attorney General Bob Cooper says state constitution does not prohibit gay couples from adopting children.

More than 80 percent of Tennesseans vote for a state constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

New York legalizes same-sex marriage.

Data from 2010 Census shows 1,900 same-sex couples in Hamilton County and Red Bank as No. 4 in Tennessee for number of such couples per 1,000 households.

Federal appeals court overturns California's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Tennessee Democrats denounce their own U.S. Senate nominee after his anti-gay activism is revealed.

Chattanooga couple, Jerry Draper and Adam Bryan, are first in East Tennessee to receive sanctioned blessing of their relationship at Grace Episcopal Church.

Vanderbilt University poll shows nearly half of Tennesseans favor same-sex marriage or civil unions; 46 percent are opposed.

U.S. Supreme Court nullifies the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act, which defined marriage as between one man and one woman, opening door for married couples to receive federal benefits.

Collegedale becomes first Tennessee city to offer benefits to employees' same-sex partners.

Chattanooga City Council approves domestic-partner benefits.

Oppoents of Chattanooga's domestic-partner benefits get enough signatures for referendum vote.

Federal judge in Nashville says Tennessee must recognize marriages of three same-sex couples legally married in other states. State appeals ruling.

All but one of the 50 states have legal challenges pending to state gay marriage bans. Gallup poll measures support for gay marriage at 55 percent nationally.

By two-thirds vote, Chattanooga voters reject domestic-partner benefits for city employees.

U.S. Supreme Court declines to hear appeals of rulings striking down marriage bans in five states, opening the way for marriages in most of the states covered by those appellate courts.