Good News! Voters in Three States Pass Marriage Equality Protections

Voters pass amendments to protect marriage rights in California, Colorado, and Hawaii

 

We’re ending this (very) long election week with some good news: Voters in Hawaii, California, and Colorado passed ballot measures to protect marriage equality for LGBTQ+ couples in their states. 

 

And voters didn’t just pass them, they championed them! All three measures passed with 60% of the vote or more.

 

See our previous coverage of two of these measures here: Same-Sex Marriage Bans On The Ballot In California & Hawaii

 

In Hawaii, people voted to remove language from the state’s constitution that gave legislators the power to pass laws limiting marriage rights to only opposite-sex couples (a man and a woman). 

 

This outdated language was added to the state’s constitution in 1998, and has left the door open for a future same-sex marriage ban. Now, that language is gone and marriage rights are strongly protected for LGBTQ+ couples in Hawaii.

 

Read more about the ballot measure by visiting the Hawaii Office of Elections 2024 Proposed Amendments to the Hawaii State Constitution

 

When was same-sex marriage legalized in Hawaii? Same-sex marriage has been legal in Hawaii since 2013, but outdated wording in the state's constitution left the door open for future bans. Now that door is closed! 

 

In California, voters finally repealed the ‘Prop 8’ same-sex marriage ban that passed in 2008. 

 

Now, outdated language in the state’s constitution that defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman will be removed; and a new section that says “The right to marry is a fundamental right” will be added. This strongly protects the right of all people to marry in California regardless of their race, sex, or gender. 

 

Read more about Proposition 3 in the California General Election Voter Information Guide - Prop 3

 

When was same-sex marriage legalized in California? Same-sex marriage was legalized in California in 2013, but outdated language in the state's constitution left the door open for future bans. Now that door is closed!

 

 

And in Colorado, voters passed a measure to completely remove a same-sex marriage ban from their state’s constitution. 

 

Language that limited marriage to “only a union of one man and one woman” has been repealed (removed), creating stronger protections for LGBTQ+ couples and families in the state. 

 

Read more about Amendment J and Senate Concurrent Resolution 24-003 here: Colorado Amendments and Propositions on the 2024 Ballot

 

When was same-sex marriage legalized in Colorado? Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colorado since 2014, but an outdated marriage ban in the state's constitution was never removed. Now it has! 

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Why do these ballot measures matter if same-sex marriage is already legal in the United States? 

 

So, why do these changes matter if same-sex marriage is already legal in the United States? Here's what to know: 

 

Even though same-sex marriage became legal at the federal level in 2015, that decision could change in the future (by overturning Obergefell v Hodges). If it does, each state would get to decide for itself if same-sex marriage is allowed or not. And an old same-sex marriage ban that’s still in a state’s constitution or laws could be brought back or put into effect again.

 

Read more: The Threat to Same-Sex Marriage in a Post-Roe World

 

This is why it’s so important to remove outdated language and pass laws that explicitly – specifically – protect the marriage rights of LGBTQ+ couples (and all couples) at the state-level.

So lets’ give three cheers for voters in Hawaii, California, and Colorado for protecting the marriage rights of their residents this election! 

 

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More Same-Sex Wedding Ideas & Marriage Equality News: 

 

• Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony Script with Unity Sand Ceremony
   
• When was same-sex marriage legalized in the U.S.? Is it legal in all 50 states?
   
• How to Officiate a Same-Sex Wedding Ceremony
   

 

Asked to officiate a same-gender wedding? We're here to help you plan the perfect ceremony! Click the article linked above to read more! 

 

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Get Ordained Online to Officiate a Wedding, with Help From AMM!  

 

Good things happen when friends and relatives help out at the wedding ceremony! Ask a friend or family member to officiate your wedding with free online ordination through American Marriage Ministries (AMM). 

|* custom-button, "https://theamm.org/ordination-application", "ORDAINED MINISTER ONLINE APPLICATION" *|

Why AMM? American Marriage Ministries is an inclusive nondenominational internet church that ordains and trains ministers to officiate marriage ceremonies. We are a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit church, and help people from all backgrounds and beliefs become ordained ministers for weddings. Our online ordination is free, accessible, and never expires.

 

Officiating weddings is an incredible honor, and a great way to show your love and support for the people getting married. As a wedding officiant, you will help to create memorable ceremonies and memories that last a lifetime.

AMM Ministers can legally officiate weddings in every state* (it's much harder in Virginia, where we're looking into our options). After getting ordained with AMM, you might need to register your ordination with your local county clerk’s office. Click the link above to get started! 

 

 

Become an ordained minister online with American Marriage Ministries and officiate wedding for friends and relatives. (Photo: franckreporter / iStock)

 

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