Missouri

STATUS: Anti-marriage constitutional amendment

TAKE ACTION: State activists are working toward fairness for all of Missouri's families by overturning a constitutional amendment that prohibits the freedom to marry for same-sex couples in the state.

HISTORY: On August 3, 2004, anti-gay forces in Missouri pushed through Constitutional Amendment 2, an anti-marriage constitutional amendment that excludes same-sex couples from marriage. 

GROUPS ACTIVELY WORKING ON MARRIAGE:

  • PROMO is Missouri's statewide organization advocating for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality through legislative action, electoral politics, grassroots organizing, and community education.
  • Freedom to Marry is the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples nationwide. 
  • Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. 
POLLING DATA: A large majority of Missouri residents support some form or legal respect for same-sex couples, with 33% saying they support marriage and 31% saying that gay couples should be allowed to form civil unions. (Public Policy Polling, June 2012) 

NUMBER OF SAME-SEX COUPLES: According to The Williams Institute's analysis of the 2010 U.S. Census, 10,557 same-sex couples are living in Missouri, representing 4.4 same-sex couples per 1,000 households.

 

Blog Posts Related to Missouri

11 gorgeous photos and a video of Shannon and Susan promising commitment in Kansas City

"When you fall in love - real love - marriage is the highest form of recognition of that love," Shannon Feldt said, explaining why couples like her and Susan McSpadden, who promised their commitment to each other last year in Kansas City - couples across the Midwest, couples across the South, and couples nationwide - need the freedom to marry.

9 Senate Democrats who announced their support for the freedom to marry this week

In the past week, nine U.S. Senators have announced their support for the freedom to marry, explaining how their views have evolved and how they have come to understand that now is the time to stand on the Right Side of History.

Polling continues to demonstrate impact of President Obama’s support for marriage

Nearly a month after President Barack Obama voiced his support for the freedom to marry, polls across the country continue to demonstrate the positive impact that his statement has had on public opinions on marriage.

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Resources Related to Missouri

Missouri Census Snapshot

Demographic and economic information about same-sex couples and same-sex couples raising children in Missouri.

Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the American Community Survey

Groundbreaking research showing a huge increase in same-sex couples identifying themselves as "unmarried partners".

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