Arkansas
Arkansas voters, unfortunately armed with little public education about the inequalities faced by same-sex couples, passed an anti-relationship recognition amendment in 2004. Now, the state is being threatened with an anti-adoption and foster care constitutional amendment which could appear on the 2008 ballot. State advocacy groups continue to work against such discriminatory amendments.
WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
Arkansas Equality Network
AEN works to identify, educate and motivate Arkansans who believe in fairness for all.
Center for Artistic Revolution
CAR is a 501(c)(3)-sponsored statewide organization that strives for Fairness and Equality for ALL Arkansans. CAR works from the analysis that all oppression is interconnected and seeks to dismantle oppression and build community through education, organizing, advocacy, and cultural work.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN ARKANSAS:
Your Community—Arkansas
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Arkansas Census Snapshot
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Arkansas.
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NEWS:
Group Behind Anti-Adoptions Begs For Cash
An umbrella group of social conservatives trying to gather enough signatures to force a referendum that could ban couples who are not married from adopting children in Arkansas has launched a desperate appeal for money.
Drive kicks off to ban foster care by partners
The Arkansas Family Council is launching a petition drive in hopes of passing a law that would ban gay and unmarried couples from adopting or becoming foster parents. A coalition of doctors, ministers, children’s advocates and others officially organized to campaign against the proposal.
AR town to recognize gay couples, no rights though
Today's THV
May 14, 2007
Gay couples can register with Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and receive a certificate acknowledging their relationships. However, it's not a legal document and does not bestow any of the rights and responsibilities of marriage on the partnerships.
On Capitol Hill, several bishops join opposition to anti-gay marriage amendment
Episcopal News Service
May 26, 2006
"Bishop Larry Maze of Arkansas and retired New Jersey Bishop Joe Morris Doss, now living in Louisiana, joined a diverse spectrum of clergy and religious leaders on Capitol Hill May 22 to speak against passage of the so-called 'Federal Marriage Amendment' (FMA)."
Episcopal church in Fayetteville supports blessing for same-sex couples
Local Channel 3 News
October 10, 2005
After years of discussion between parishioners and church leaders to approve a resolution adopting a rite of blessing for same-sex couples, an Episcopal church in Fayetteville, Arkansas has agreed to support the resolution, becoming the first congregation among the state's 55 churches in the Episcopal Church USA to support such a ceremony. They will wait until at least next summer for national church leaders to meet on the issue before conducting any ceremonies.
OPINION: You signed the petition, didn't you?
Arkansas News Bureau
July 8, 2004
Writer predicts an anti-gay state amendment will pass in Arkansas... just like a segregation law did in the 1950's. "We voted narrowly in 1990 to repeal it. Narrowly. In 1990. To repeal. Racial segregation." And anti-gay laws will be repealed too.
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Williams Institute
December 2007
Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau, this report provides demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Arkansas.
Read families’ stories about how marriage discrimination affects everyday life. These stories communicate, in concrete ways, how the exclusion of same-sex couples from marriage hurts families and helps no one.
Start in The Marriage Basics to get short answers to your big questions about the freedom to marry, and learn more about the protections and responsibilities of marriage, the historical background for this civil rights movement, why separate is not equal, and so much more.
