Here are some important dates in the history of the gay marriage debate in Massachusetts:

April 11, 2001 – Seven same-sex couples, denied marriage licenses, sue in Suffolk Superior Court in Boston to challenge the state’s gay marriage ban.

May 8, 2002 – Suffolk Superior Court judge rules against granting marriage licenses to seven gay couples, saying the legality of same-sex marriage should be decided by the Legislature, not the courts.

July 17, 2002 – Lawmakers adjourn constitutional convention without taking a vote on amendment that would have banned gay marriage in the state. The amendment was initiated by a petition signed by 130,000 citizens.

March 4, 2003 – The state Supreme Judicial Court hears arguments in case brought by the seven gay couples to legalize same-sex marriage.

Nov. 18, 2003 – The SJC rules it was unconstitutional to bar gay couples from marriage, and gives the Legislature 180 days to come up with a solution to allow gays to wed. President Bush, in a visit to London, criticizes the decision and vows to work with Congress to “defend the sanctity of marriage.”

Nov. 29, 2003 – The state’s four Catholic bishops called the SJC decision a “national tragedy” in a letter read at Sunday Masses across the state.

Dec. 11, 2003 – The Massachusetts Senate votes to ask the SJC if Vermont-style civil unions would satisfy the court’s decision legalizing gay marriage.

Dec. 28, 2003 – Pope John Paul II calls for greater defense of the institution of marriage between man and woman, saying a “misunderstood sense of rights” was altering it.

Feb. 3 – Massachusetts’ House delegation sends state lawmakers a letter urging them to defeat a constitutional amendment that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Feb. 4 – The SJC clarifies its earlier ruling, saying only full, equal marriage rights for gay couples – rather than civil unions – are constitutional.

Feb. 11 – Massachusetts Legislature opens constitutional convention with debate on a proposed constitutional ban on gay marriage.

Feb. 12 – Lawmakers adjourn convention deadlocked, after failing to pass three separate proposed bans on same-sex marriage.

March 11 – Lawmakers recess constitutional convention, but come steps closer to passing a proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage and allow for civil unions. Legislators agree to reconvene on March 29.

March 29 – State Legislature approves proposed constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage but legalize Vermont-style civil unions.

May 17 – Same-sex weddings slated to begin across Massachusetts.

AP-ES-05-14-04 1247EDT