How many states currently allow gay unions?

[Reverend_Smitty]

I know that Mass, Vermont and I know that yesterday my home state NJ just allowed them. Which other ones do? if any?

[lcooksey]

1. Only a few

Massachusetts is the only one which allows marriage. Vermont allows civil unions, which under state law are equivalent to marriage except for calculating estate taxes. That's because Vermont goes by federal estate tax calculation, and federal law does not recognize civil unions.

New Jersey has a domestic partner registry, and I think California will have one (it is law, but does not take affect this year).

That's all I know off the top of my head.

[Taylor Mason Powell]

2. I believe Hawaii has a thing...

called "Reciprocal Beneficiaries" which is something gay people (and even some non-gay people) can use to establish some of the same rights as married couples... Kinda like a civil union type thing but not quite.

Sorry I can't be more specific on the details.