Missouri
In August 2004, Missouri voters passed an anti-marriage constitutional amendment. State advocacy groups continue to work to overturn such discrimination and move towards true fairness and equality for Missouri's families.
WHERE YOU CAN GO TO GET INVOLVED OR LEARN MORE:
PROMO
PROMO is Missouri's statewide organization advocating for lesbian,
gay, bisexual, and transgender equality through legislative action,
electoral politics, grassroots organizing, and community education.
ACLU-Eastern Missouri: LGBT Rights
The American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri (ACLU-EM) is a
non-partisan, not-for-profit, membership organization dedicated to the
preservation and promotion of civil liberties in eastern Missouri.
Located in St. Louis, ACLU-EM is an affiliate of the national ACLU.
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LEGISLATIVE STATUS IN MISSOURI:
Your Community—Missouri
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
HRC presents resources, news, and the current marriage and
relationship recognition laws in each state.
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PUBLICATIONS:
Missouri 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 Missouri.
Geographic Trends Among Same-Sex Couples in the U.S. Census and the
American Community Survey
Williams Institute
November 2007
Gary Gates at the Williams Institute released groundbreaking research
on the geographic trends among same-sex couples. The report finds the
biggest increases in Southern and Mountain states and states barring
legal acceptance of same-sex couples had larger percentage increases
in same-sex couples from 2000 to 2006.
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NEWS:
Gay couples having trouble obtaining divorces
Gay couples had to struggle mightily to win the right to marry or form civil unions in certain states. Now, some are finding that breaking up is hard to do, too.
Same-sex breakup perplexes courts
A lesbian married in Massachusetts has filed for an annulment from her partner in a Missouri court, creating a legal challenge in a state that has an anti-gay constitutional amendment. Increasingly, such cases are popping up in courts across the country, and as they do, will turn public sentiment against the “gay exception” in both marriage and divorce. “I think people in Missouri are fair, and the more they learn and hear about real couples like this and ask themselves, do they really hate gay relationships so much that they won’t let gay people out of them?” Evan Wolfson said.
Why we need to talk about marriage equality
Washington Blade
May 1, 2006
"Question your friend or your father about what they are saying — make
them actually think about their words. Don't let go unchallenged a
flippant brush-off comment about 'there's no need for gay marriage.'
Put up your dukes and fight back."
One year after marriage ban, gays still seek marriage licenses in
Missouri
365Gay.com
August 3, 2005
To mark the one year anniversary of the state's anti-gay marriage ban,
discriminating against same-sex residents, gays peacefully line up at
city halls and courthouses throughout the state, seeking marriage
licenses. This peaceful protest "puts a face" to those discriminated
upon who are just seeking for what is right and fair under the law.
"We're committed couples. We want the same recognition that
heterosexual couples enjoy. We don't want to devalue marriage, we want
to enhance it."
Kerry explains support for Massachusetts and Missouri amendments
Washington Blade
September 24, 2004
"I was unbriefed and I thought it was the same amendment we had in
Massachusetts... I just thought it was a simple prohibition...I just
didn't know it went as far as it did and, obviously, I don't support
it."
NBJC condemns discriminatory constitutional vote in Missouri
National Black Justice Coalition
August 4, 2004
"George W. Bush and his radical conservative allies are seeking to
divide us on this issue...African Americans oppose discrimination in
all its forms."
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Williams Institute
January 2008
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 Missouri.
Why Marriage Matters America, Equality, and Gay People's Right to Marry.
By Evan Wolfson
Read reviews! Purchase the book or receive a signed copy as a thank you for your donation!
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.
