Same-sex marriage wins first-ever ballot box approval

By Ben Brumfield, CNN

(CNN) - For the first time, same-sex marriage has been approved by a popular vote in the United States.

Voters in Maryland and Maine passed referendums by narrow margins cementing the right for people to marry, regardless of gender.

The words man and woman "relating to the marital relationship or familial relationships must be construed to be gender-neutral for all purposes," Maine's act says. "Civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license," reads Maryland's.

Maryland, Maine approve same-sex marriage

Results of a vote on the same issue was still pending in Washington, as was a measure that would ban same-sex marriage in Minnesota.