And although not granting a sweeping right of gays and lesbians to marry nationwide , a separate high court ruling effectively allows same-sex marriage to resume in California , the nation 's most populous state . The new law allows same-sex couples to marry in civil or religious ceremonies . The first same-sex weddings could take place as early as next summer . TL;DR Same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S. for all 50 states, but a federal judge ruled that Utah must recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere because of its ban on such unions being conducted within state Religious organizations have to `` opt in '' if they want to perform same-sex marriages .
The new law allows same-sex couples to marry in civil or religious ceremonies . The first same-sex weddings could take place as early as next summer . TL;DR Same-sex marriage is legal in the U.S. for all 50 states, but a federal judge ruled that Utah must recognize gay marriages performed elsewhere because of its ban on such unions being conducted within state Religious organizations have to `` opt in '' if they want to perform same-sex marriages .