1980: Barney Frank (D, Mass.) is elected to his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

2008: California voters ban same-sex marriage with Proposition 8, becoming the first U.S. state to do so after marriages had been legalized for same-sex couples. The amendment to California’s constitution passed by a margin of 52% to 47% and overturned the state supreme court’s ruling in May in favor of same-sex marriage.

2008: Arizona and Florida voters pass constitutional amendments banning same-sex marriage.

2008: Arkansas voters pass Act 1, which effectively bans adoption by same-sex couples, by a margin of 54% to 41%.