Legislative
Unable to ignore the national conversation about fairness for all families, state and federal legislators are introducing bills and discussing the need to end the unfair exclusion from marriage for all loving and committed same-sex couples.
Since 2007, when the Massachusetts legislature overwhelmingly defeated an anti-marriage constitutional amendment, state legislative bodies in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and Washington have signed into law the freedom to marry. Meanwhile, a critical mass of lawmakers for the freedom to marry continues to grow in several key states, while legislators in places like Illinois have taken important steps toward marriage in providing a measure of protections to same-sex couples through civil union.
At the federal level, a growing number of elected legislators have supported protecting families by calling for the end of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, the law that prohibits federal respect of lawful marriages between same-sex couples. In 2009, in the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) with 90 initial co-sponsors introduced the “Respect for Marriage Act,” which would repeal DOMA in its entirety.
More legislators are standing on clear principle, reinvigorating the discussion about the basic American value of fairness, our shared aspirations for a secure family life, and the pursuit of happiness.
Blog Posts Related to Legislative
Legislators in Delaware will introduce freedom to marry legislation today
Today, legislators in Delaware will introduce legislation to extend the freedom to marry to same-sex couples. At 2:30 p.m., a press conference to formally announce the introduction of the bill to end the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage will be held in Wilmington.
Republican IL Rep. Ed Sullivan announces support for marriage bill
Today, Illinois Rep. Ed Sullivan announced that he will vote for the freedom to marry on the IL House marriage bill. He is the second Republican representative in IL to pledge his support.
With Sen. Nelson’s support, a majority of U.S. Senators now support the freedom to marry
Today, Sen. Bill Nelson announced that he supports the freedom to marry for same-sex couples, making him the 51st Senator in today's Congress to do so. A majority of the United States Senate now has announced support for the freedom to marry.
Resources Related to Legislative
Polling Tracks Growing and Increasingly Diverse Support for the Freedom to Marry
A listing of marriage polling at the federal, national, and state level.
Frequently Asked Questions About Marriage Recognition for Same-Sex Couples in Maryland
Lambda Legal, American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland, the National Center for Lesbian Rights, Equality Maryland, and the American Civil Liberties Union: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Guide for same-sex couples in Maryland who married out of state.
Respect for Marriage Act Co-Sponsors
Which Congresspersons are currently co-sponsors of the Respect for Marriage Act?