This November, more states may sanction gay marriages as voters in Texas, South Dakota and Tennessee vote on a possible amendment to their states’ constitutions banning same-sex marriage.

Gay marriage is currently sanctioned only in the state of Massachusetts, after the state legislature ruled same-sex marriage legal. Both Vermont and Connecticut allow civil unions to be performed for same-sex couples. Other areas have no explicit legislation prohibiting the union of same-sex couples including New York, New Jersey, New Mexico, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia. At least 40 states, however, have statutes banning gay marriage. [read more]