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Marriage Equality
Defense of Marriage Act (DoMA)
The Defense of Marriage Act, enacted in 1996 by President Clinton, states that the federal government defines marriage as only between one man and one woman, and that no state or political subdivision needs to recognize same-sex marriages, even if these marriages are recognized in other states. We oppose this direct challenge to marriage equality, and are fighting to repeal this unfair law, and to hold accountable President Obama and the Democratically-controlled Congress for their broken promises to strike the law down.
June 15, 2009: Log Cabin Republicans Condemn Obama on ‘Defense of Marriage Act'
September 4, 2003: Log Cabin Responds to Senate Hearing on Defense of Marriage Act.
Federal Marriage Amendment
Please visit our separate page on the issue here.
State Marriage Equality Efforts
California: On May 15, 2008 California became the second state to enact marriage equality, after the Supreme Court of California, of which 6 out of 7 justices are Republican appointees. Opponents, with an effort financed largely by out-of-state donors, placed an initiative, Proposition 8, on the ballot hoping to overturn the Court’s decision rejecting the state’s new marriage equality law. With the Support of Republican Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Log Cabin Republicans launched Republicans Against 8, a campaign focused on securing moderate and conservative opposition to this anti-family measure. This was in tandem with an aggressive media and grassroots campaign, including ads produced by Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black. Despite vocal opposition, Proposition 8 barely passed, prompting many organizations including the Log Cabin Republicans to challenge the new law’s violation of Californians' fundamental rights. The Supreme Court of California rejected the appeal on May 26, 2009, eliminating marriage equality from California’s laws. The Court did grant recognition of marriages performed in the interval in which it was legal, which was a key tenet of our brief. Log Cabin Republicans is committed to helping move forward to fight for marriage equality to one day exist in California. More information here.
Connecticut: Civil unions were legalized in 2005 and subsequently declared unconstitutional in 2008 under Kerrigan v. Commissioner of Public Health. With the support of Republican Governor Jodi Rell, a bipartisan majority in the Connecticut state legislature enacted full legal benefits as of October 2008 for all married couples, regardless of sexual orientation. On October 1, 2010, all existing civil unions will be transformed into marriages.
Iowa: In April of 2009, the Iowa Supreme Court, in a decision led by Marsha K. Ternus, an appointee of Republican Governor Terry E. Branstad, unanimously ruled in favor of marriage equality in response to the case of Varnum v. Brien, and same-sex marriages have been performed in the state since late April.
Maine: On May 6, 2009, the Maine state legislature voted to enact marriage equality, which will go into effect in September 2009. However, opponents are currently seeking to place a people's veto on the statewide ballot in November 2009, which may threaten marriage equality in the state.
Massachusetts: As of May 17, 2004, Massachusetts became the first state in the U.S. and the sixth jurisdiction in the world to legalize gay marriage, after a Supreme Court ruling in November 2003 on Goodridge v. Department of Public Health in favor of marriage equality.
New Hampshire: On March 26, 2009, with the widespread support of Republican members, the New Hampshire State Legislature passed a bill enacting marriage equality and recognizing out-of-state civil unions as marriages, effective January 1, 2010.
New York: On May 14, 2008, Governor David Paterson issued a directive recognizing same-sex marriages from other states, as well as from Canada. In 2009, the state Assembly, with an overwhelming bipartisan majority passed a marriage equality law, and the state Senate is currently considering the legislation, with the support of President Pro-Tempore Pedro Espada.
Vermont: On April 7, 2009, Republicans in the State House of Representatives, led by Leader Patti Komline, played a critical role in securing enough votes to override Governor Jim Douglas's veto, ensuring the first legislatively enacted marriage equality law in the United States, effective September 1, 2009.
Washington, D.C.: On April 7, 2009, the Council of the District of Columbia voted to recognize same-sex marriages performed in other jurisdictions; however, this legislation has been threatened by the Democratically-controlled Congress, which may veto the bill before it becomes law on July 6, 2009.
Resources
View this interactive map for more informaton on the status of marriage equality in your state.
Visit our website, What Marriage Means, for more information about marriage equality.
Join Republicans Against 8 and support marriage equality in the Golden State.
Log Cabin News Releases on Marriage in California
June 17, 2009: Log Cabin Republicans Vow to Restore Right to Marry in California
June 17, 2008: Log Cabin Republicans Congratulates All California Families
June 3, 2008: California Anti-Gay Marriage Constitutional Amendment Qualifies for November Ballot
May 15, 2008: Log Cabin Republicans Applaud California Supreme Court's Decision on Marriage Equality
