TIMELINE: Legal progress for same-sex couples

(Reuters) - Dozens of gay and lesbian couples planned to wed in Connecticut on Wednesday after a judge cleared the way for the state to become the nation's second to allow same-sex marriage.

Here is a look at legal history of rights for same-sex couples in several countries since 1989.

1989

June - Denmark passes a law allowing homosexuals to enter a registered partnership, giving them the same housing, pension and immigration rights as married heterosexual couples.

1999

December - Vermont's top court permits same-sex civil unions, a first decision of its kind in the United States.

1993

August - Norway becomes the second country to allow gays and lesbians to have registered partnerships, giving them rights almost equal to those of married couples.

1994

June - Sweden's parliament approves law allowing same-sex marriage in ceremonies similar to a civil marriage.

2000

December - The Netherlands approves laws allowing same-sex couples to marry and adopt children. Dutch law had recognized registered partnerships since 1998.

July - Carolyn Conrad and Kathleen Peterson in Vermont become the first same-sex couple in the United States to be legally united.

2002

July - Germany allows gay couples to register partnerships with local civil authorities.

2003