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2000:
Alaska
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Alaska.
Marriage Law 1998: Anti-Marriage Constitutional Amendment
Ratified.
Senate Joint Resolution 42: Having already passed an
anti-marriage bill in 1996, voters nevertheless ratified an
amendment incorporating anti-gay, anti-marriage
discrimination directly into the state constitution. This latest
anti-marriage measure was a response to a Feb. 27, 1998
preliminary ruling by a state court judge, who in Brause v.
Alaska found:
(1) that marriage is a fundamental right,
(2) that denial of civil marriage licenses to same-sex couples
is discrimination based on sex, and
(3) therefore the government must show a compelling reason
for withholding a civil marriage license from a gay couple. The
constitutional amendment bans marriage for same-sex couples
and purports to invalidate such lawful marriages validly
performed in other states.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted
House Bill 227:Introduced by Rep. Norman Rokeberg (R) on
March 3, 1995. The bill would restrict marriage to "between a
man and woman" Passed the House February 28, 1996.
Senate Bill 30:Introduced by Rep. Lyda Green (R) March 14,
1996. Restricts marriage to opposite-sex couples, and
provides that a same-sex couple's marriage lawfully
contracted elsewhere will be "void in this state, and
contractual rights granted by virtue of the marriage, including
its termination, are unenforceable in this state." Passed the
Health, Education & Social Services Committee on March 20.
Passed the Senate and House, allowed by Governor Tony
Knowles (D) to become law without signature.
1995: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
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Alabama
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Alabama.
Marriage Law 1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 171: Anti-marriage bill introduced for third
consecutive year.
House Bill 152: Similar anti-marriage measure restricting
marriage to different-sex couples only, and declaring void the
lawful marriages of same-sex couples. Passed the House and
Senate with no discussion, signed by Gov. Fob James (R).
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 282: Senator Roger Bedford (D) intoduced
anti-marriage bill that, like the one that failed in 1996, bans
marriage licenses for same-sex couples, denies recognition to
lawful marriages from other states, and punishes by at least
$1000 any person who performs or "solemnizes" a same-sex
couple's wedding. After first-ever testimony by openly gay
people before legislature, bill fails to advance. Barring special
session, it and other such legislation is dead for the year.
Senate Bill 1: Likewise bars same-sex couples from marrying
and denies legal recognition to their lawful marriages.
House Bill 482: Similar to Senate Bill 1. Passed committee.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 142: Declares that "marriage between persons of
the same sex shall not be deemed legitimate and shall be
declared void." Reported from Judiciary Committee Feb. 13.
Placed on special calendar but failed to advance.
Senate Bill 396: Introduced by Senator Armistead (R).
Prohibits marriages between persons of the same sex in
Alabama, prohibits legal recognition of lawful marriages
celebrated elsewhere, and fines officials who celebrate a
marriage for a same-sex couple $1000. Referred to Judiciary.
Executive Order: Despite decision of legislature not to enact
discriminatory legislation, Governor Fob James issues an
executive order in August, purporting to declare by fiat that
gay people may not get married in Alabama, and that the
state will not recognize any lawful marriages of same-sex
couples.
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Arkansas
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Arkansas.
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 5: Anti-marriage bills passed Senate (1/27) and
House (1/22). Signed by Governor Huckabee (R) on February
13.
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Arizona
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Tucson (Pima County): April 28, 1997. Same-sex Couples
Only.
Pima County: March 1998. LaWall v. Pima County:
Lambda successfully represented county employees seeking
to intervene against a suit filed by the county attorney
challenging the provision of health insurance to the domestic
partners of county employees.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 106: Introduced by Rep. Jeff Groscost (R). Would
specify that marriage between people of the same sex is
"illegal," and would refuse to recognize lawful marriages
performed in other states. Initially blocked by substitution of
general "family values" language in place of anti-marriage
provision, but revived through manipulation of the rules and
passed through House. Passed by Senate as Senate Bill 1038.
Signed by Governor Symington (R) on May 5, 1996.
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California
Domestic Partnership California offers a Domestic Partner
Registry
Registry (October 2, 1999)
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Alameda County
Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)
Berkeley (Alameda): April 1985
Registry: October 1991
Berkeley Unified School District: 1986
Davis* (Yolo)
*Registry Only
Laguna Beach (Orange): June 1990
Registry: June 1990
Long Beach* (Los Angeles)
*Registry Only: October 1991
Los Angeles (Los Angeles): October 1988
Registry
Los Angeles County: December 19, 1995
Registry: March 23, 1999
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority
Los Angeles Unified School District
Marin County- Registry
Oakland (Alameda): June 1996
Registry: June 1996
Palo Alto (Santa Clara): 1997.
Registry: December 1995
Sacramento (Sacramento): 1995
Registry: October 1992
Sacramento Para Transit
San Diego (San Diego): June 1994. [Employees must purchase
the health insurance themselves, but this is a valuable option
because it offers better coverage at less expense.]
San Francisco (San Francisco): July 1991. In Litigation. Air
Transport Association v. San Francisco: Lambda, with the
ACLU and the National Center for Lesbian Rights, is helping
fight the airline industry's challenge to San Francisco's
ordinance requiring contractors to provide their employees
with domestic partner benefits like those accorded spouses.
This ordinance has resulted, for the first time, in companies
offering domestic partner benefits in industries such as the oil
business and professional sports.
Registry: November 1990
San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
San Francisco County: July 1991
San Jose School District
San Mateo County: 1992
Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara): 1998 - Registry
[Santa Clara County]:1996. REPEALED. Law never took effect
and was repealed February 24, 1998 under threat of divisive
ballot initiative challenge.
Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz): May 1986
Santa Cruz County: May 1986
Santa Cruz Metro Transit System: 1985
West Hollywood (Los Angeles): February 1985
Registry: February 1985
Marriage Law Ballot Initiative - March 2000 -- Adopted
Having failed five times in the past three years to persuade
the legislature to adopt a discriminatory anti-marriage bill,
Republican state senator Pete Knight, with the assistance of
Focus on the Family, Traditional Values Coalition, and other
right-wing groups placed on the March 2000 ballot an
anti-gay, anti-marriage measure officially entitled the "Limit
On Marriage Initiative," and generally known as the Knight
Initiative. It passed on March 7, and selectively amended
California law to require the state to discriminate against gay
people's lawful marriages while nevertheless recognizing all
other out-of-state marriages. Younger voters overwhelmingly
rejected the Knight Initiative, and, far from ending the
ongoing discussion around gay people and marriage, as the
right-wing hoped, public debate, visibility, and support for our
freedom to marry continue to grow -- with a concomitant
sense ofi nevitability.
1999: Ballot Initiative - March 2000!
Having failed five times in the past three years to persuade
the legislature to adopt a discriminatory anti-marriage bill,
Republican state senator Pete Knight, with the assistance of
Focus on the Family, Traditional Values Coalition, and other
right-wing groups has placed on the March 2000 ballot an
anti-marriage initiative. The measure would selectively amend
California law to require the state to discriminate against gay
people's lawful marriages, while nevertheless recognizing all
other out-of-state marriages Resources Concerning
California's Anti-Marriage Measure.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 800: Introduced by Assemblymember Margett
(R). Defeated in Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 911: Introduced by Senator Pete Knight (R),
leading proponent of the three anti-marriage bills Californians
were forced to grapple with in 1996. Defeated in committee.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 1982: Introduced by Assembly Member Pete
Knight (R) on September 15, 1995. The bill was amended on
January 12, 1996 and stipulates that only a man and a woman
may be allowed to obtain a license and authorization for
marriage in the state of California. The bill further provides
that the state of California will not recognize same-sex
couples' marriages even if lawfully performed in other states.
Passed the Assembly on a largely partisan vote. Amended in
the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 9 to include "domestic
partnership provision," passed in amended form through
Appropriations Committee. Full Senate rejects attempt to strip
amendments on 20-21 vote (with Lt. Gov. casting vote). Bill
dies.
Assembly Bill 3227: Introduced by Assembly Member Pete
Knight (R) on February 23, 1996. Spells out more explicitly the
discriminatory bases of non-recognition of same-sex couples'
lawful marriages. Died in Assembly in June.
Senate Bill 2075: Following the Senate Judiciary Committee's
amendment of AB1982, Rep. Haynes gutted this bill, which
orginally related to fines and forfeitures, to transform it into
the third anti-marriage bill. Passed by Assembly, goes to
Senate, where It dies.
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Colorado
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Boulder (Boulder): 1996.
Registry
Denver (Denver): September 1996
Marriage Law Adopted
A right-wing group has filed a measure with the state to begin
collecting signatures for an anti-marriage ballot initiative,
much like the discriminatory anti-gay measure struck down by
the U.S. Supreme Court in 1996. The legislature rejected a
similar measure last year.
SB45: Yet again, Senator Marilyn Musgrave (R) introduced her
anti-marriage bill, rejected by the legislature last year (and
vetoed twice previously by the governor before that). Passed
the Senate. Meanwhile a similar measure has passed in the
House, to be signed by the Gov. Bill Owens (R).
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 159: For the fourth consecutive year, Senator
Marilyn Musgrave (R) has introduced an anti-marriage bill. In
two previous years, these discriminatory measures were
vetoed by former Governor Romer, and in one year, it didn't
advance. Passed Judiciary Committee, 5-3, at the same as
another committee rejected SB 78, a bill that would have
provided even small recognition of same-sex couples for
purposes of inheritance. Passed by the Senate on Feb. 17,
but rejected in the House Judiciary Committee and dead for
this year.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 1248: For the third consecutive year, Rep. Marily
Musgrave (R) has introduced an anti-marriage bill aimed at
discriminating against same-sex couples' marriages whether
celebrated in Colorado or out of state. The bill failed to
advance and was withdrawn.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 1198: Introduced by Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R),
who proposed the same bill the year before. Declares lawful
marriages between people of the same sex "absolutely void."
Passed House. Amended in Senate Judiciary Committee to
require non-recognition of same-sex couples' lawful marriages,
while deleting declaration that such marriages were against
the state's public policy. Passed Senate and House with
amendments. On June 5, Governor Roy Romer (D) vetoed the
anti-marriage bill, just as he did the year before.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 1291: Introduced by Rep. Musgrave (R) on January
31, 1996. Passed the House by one vote. Voted out by the
Senate March 11. Vetoed as "divisive" and mean-spirited by
Governor Roy Romer (D) on March 25.
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Connecticut
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Hartford (Hartford): 1993.
Registry: June 1993. Symbolic only, provides no legal or
financial benefits.
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
In early June, right-wing legislators at the last minute
proposed an anti-marriage amendment to a pending bill that
would have provided for second-parent adoptions to offer
protections to the children raised by gay and other parents.
With no debate, the full House passed the measure as
amended, thus sending to the Senate an undebated,
unexamined bill that would discriminate in marriage and attack
lawful out-of-state marriages. The amendment was intended,
in part, to scuttle the underlying family-protection bill, and
the Senate thus failed to proceed on the bill, killing the
anti-marriage amendment as well.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 535: Introduced by Senator Neilson. Would restict
marriage to only different-sex couples. Referred to Judiciary
Committee. Failed to advance.
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Washington D.C.
Domestic Partnership The District of Columbia offers
domestic partnership benefits to employees.
However, the plan has not yet been implemented as each
year since the D.C. Council passed the domestic partnership
law (1992), Congress has attached amendments to the city's
budget laws barring the city from using federal and D.C. funds
for its implementation. Activists have devised a method to
register, involving sending paperwork to the city government
via registered mail and using the receipt as proof of
registration.
Registry: April 1992
Marriage Law There has been no marriage legislation
introduced in the District of Columbia.
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Delaware
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Delaware.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 503: Introduced on April 4 by Rep. Gerald
Buckworth (R). Passed House and Senate, signed into law by
Gov. Thomas Carper.
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Florida
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Broward County: January 1, 2000
Miami Beach (Dade): July 1998. Non-health Benefits.
Key West (Monroe): February 12, 1998
Monroe County: February 11, 1998
West Palm Beach (Palm Beach): February 1992
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 147: Introduced by Rep. Johnny Byrd. Would
restrict marriage to different-sex couples only, and deny
recognition to lawful marriages of same-sex couples under all
circumstances. Passed in stacked Governmental Operations
Committee, and then passed the full House on March 25. On
May 29, Gov. Lawton Chiles chose not to veto the bill,
allowing it to become law without his signature.
Senate Bill 272: Introduced by Sen. John Grant (R). Passed
Judiciary Committee March 12; passed Senate.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 2369: Bill introduced by Rep. Buddy Johnson (R).
Assigned to House Judiciary Committee on March 6. Bill
withdrawn on March 12. Legislature adjourned without action
on bill.
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Georgia
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Atlanta (Fulton): August 1996. Atlanta passed a second
benefits ordinance in August 1996, to which a challenge was
filed by an Atlanta resident. In City of Atlanta v. Morgan,
Lambda and a host of Georgia civil rights groups successfully
helped defend the ordinance against local religious extremists.
Atlanta's first benefits ordinance was passed in August 1993.
It was subsequently invalidated when the Georgia Supreme
Court ruled in March 1995 that the City of Atlanta exceeded
its authority in extending employee benefits to domestic
partners of state employees. Atlanta et al. v. McKinney et al.,
454 S.E.2d 517 (Ga. 1995).
Registry: June 1993. Atlanta's right to establish a domestic
partnership registry was upheld by the Georgia Supreme Court
in March 1995. Atlanta et al. v. McKinney et al., 454 S.E.2d
517 (Ga. 1995).
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 1580: Introduced by Rep. Crews (R). Would insert
an explicit limitation of marriage as only "between a man and
a woman." Passed the House. On February 27, passed by
Senate Special Judiciary Committee, 4-2. Senate Bill 681:
Introduced by Senators Gochenour, Perdue, and Edge (R).
Declares it the "public policy of this state to recognize the
union only of man and woman. No same-sex marriage shall be
recognized as entitled to the benefits of marriage." Further
prohibits marriages between persons of the same sex, declare
out-of-state marriages "null and void", and says that "any
contractual rights granted by virtue of such license, including
its termination [!], shall be unenforceable in the courts of this
state." Senate Judiciary committee approved, 4-2. Passed
Senate. Signed into law by Governor Zell Miller (D).
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Hawaii
Domestic Partnership The State of Hawai'i offers domestic
partnership benefits to employees.
Reciprocal Beneficiaries Law: July 1, 1997.
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 321: Introduced by Senator Les Ihara, this seems
to be a place-holder for a possible restriction on marriage
following the constitutional amendment. Failed to advance
before the internal legislative deadlines. House Bill 775:
Introduced by Judiciary Committee chair Paul Oshiro, this bill
would deny same-sex couples the freedom to marry that the
equal protection guarantees of the Hawaii constitution
seemed to mandate. Failed to advance before the internal
legislative deadlines.
House Bill 717: Introduced by Rep. Kenny Goodenow, this bill
would remove the government from the "marriage business,"
allowing different-sex and same-sex couples to contract
"registered partnerships" under law, while reserving "marriage"
for religious or personal use. Failed to advance before the
internal legislative deadlines.
1998: Constitutional Amendment Ratified.
House Bill 117: On November 3, 1998, the voters ratified a
constitutional amendment that permits (although it does not
require) the legislature to restrict marriage to opposite-sex
couples. The legislature may act in 1999. In sending the
amendment proposal, the legislature coupled it with House Bill
118, legislation according same-sex couples (and other
"reciprocal beneficiaries") the broadest package of rights and
benefits ever accorded gay families in the U.S. That law took
effect in July 1997. It is unclear what impact, if any, all of
this will have on Baehr v. Anderson (formerly Baehr v. Miike,
the landmark freedom to marry case, now pending before the
Hawaii Supreme Court.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Pending.
House Bill 117: On April 29, both houses of the legislature
voted for language of a proposed constitutional amendment
which, if approved by the voters would permit (although not
require) the legislature to restrict marriage to opposite-sex
couples. The proposed amendment now will go to the voters
in November 1998. Even if approved, it would be 1999 before
a discriminatory restriction on marriage could become law.
The amendment proposal was coupled with House Bill 118,
legislation according same-sex couples (and other "reciprocal
beneficiaries") the broadest package of rights and benefits
ever accorded gay families in the U.S. That law took effect in
July 1997. It is unclear what, if any, impact all of this will
have on Baehr v. Miike, the landmark freedom to marry case,
now pending before the Hawai'i Supreme Court.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 2366: On March 1, House Speaker Joe Souki (D)
prompts suspension of rules to consider constitutional
amendment that would provide that "Marriage shall be defined
in the State of Hawaii as the legal association reserved
exclusively for the lawful union of a man and a woman."
Measure passed House; blocked in Senate Judiciary
Committee until April 26, when withdrawn and defeated on
floor of Senate, 15 - 10. The legislature adjourned without
advancing legislation against equal marriage rights for gay
people.
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Iowa
Domestic Partnership Municipalities Offering Domestic
Partnership Benefits to Employees:
Iowa City (Johnson): August 1994. HUD assistance offered as
of July 1, 1998 Registry: November 1994
Marriage Law 1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Resolution 382:For the third consecutive year, House
Republicans sponsored an anti-marriage bill that would
discriminate against the lawful marriages of same-sex couples.
Approved by the House in March, and by the Senate on
March 26, with an amendment creating a task force on
"domestic partnership." Signed by Gov. Terry Branstad (R).
Senate Bill 2187: Senate 2187 Companion bill introduced by
Judiciary Committee chair Andy McKean(R) and Larry
McKibben(R).
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Study Bill 114: Introduced by Gov. Terry Branstad (R).
Failed to proceed.
House Study Bill 37: Introduced by Governor. Same. Passed
by Judiciary Committee, but failed to proceed prior to
deadline.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 2183: Introduced February 9, 1996 by Reps. Hurley
and Grubbs (R). States that "[o]nly a marriage between a
male and a female" is valid. Passed House Feb. 20 without
public hearings. Failed in Senate Judiciary Committee March
21.
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Idaho
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Idaho.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 658: Introduced by several House Members on
January 12, 1996. Amends Section 32-209 of the Idaho Code
to read, "All Marriages contracted without this state, which
would be valid by the laws of the state or country in which
the same were contracted, are valid in this state, unless they
violate the public policy of this state. Marriages that violate
the public policy of this state include, but are not limited to,
same-sex marriages, and marriages entered into under the
laws of another state or country with the intent to evade the
prohibitions of marriage laws of this state." Passed the House
and Senate; signed into law by Governor Phil Batt (R).
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Illinois
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Chicago (Cook): March 1997. In Litigation. Crawford v. City of
Chicago: Lambda helped Chicago fight off an attempt to block
a new city ordinance allowing health and other employment
benefits for the domestic partners of municipal workers.
Anti-gay ministers continue to challenge the plan now in
effect. Same-sex Couples Only.
Cook County
Oak Park (Cook): April 1994
Registry: September 2, 1997. On March 17, 1998 symbolic
vote reaffirms registry after ballot initiative challenge.
Same-sex Couples Only.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 1773: Introduced by Sen. Peter Fitzgerald (R) on
February 9, 1996. Prohibits marriages "between two
individuals of the same sex" and declares such lawful
marriages to be "against public policy." Passed by Senate
Judiciary Committee March 6, 1996. Passed Senate on March
29, 1996, passed the House on April 25, vetoed by Governor
Edgar (R) on May 24, who simultaneously signed Senate Bill
1140, an identical measure containing an immediate effective
date.
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Indiana
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partner benefits to employees:
Bloomington (Monroe): March 1997
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 1019: Introduced by Rep. Woody Burton (R).
Blocked in Families, Children & Human Affairs Committee. No
further action. . Similar language has now been proposed by
Rep. Burton as an amendment to an unrelated bill on welfare.
The amendment adds a non-recognition provision to the
current restriction on marriage to different-sex couples. After
further manipulations of the rules, Rep. Burton succeeded in
getting similar language voted out in another gutted bill. Gov.
Frank O'Bannon signed the measure into law on May 13.
Senate Bill 211: Anti-marriage bill passed by Judiciary
Committee. Failed to proceed.
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Kansas
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Kansas.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Amendment to Senate Bill 515: Amends marriage
statute to say that marriage is a "civil contract between two
parties who are of opposite sex. All other marriages are
declared to be contrary to the public policy of this state and
void." Passed House March 21 without hearings. After
procedural manuevering by sponsors to circumvent a
House-Senate conference committee, the bill passed in the
Senate without hearings. Signed by Governor Graves (R).
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Kentucky
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Kansas.
Marriage Law 1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 11: Prefiled bill would prohibit same-sex couples
from marrying in Kentucky and discriminate against lawful
marriages from out of state.
House Bill 13:Sponsored by Sheldon Baugh (R), this is a similar
bill with the same discriminatory restrictions and exclusions as
well as language about "public policy." House Judiciary
Committee amended the bill to include HB11 and then
approved it, as did the full House on March 11. Passed by the
Senate on March 26 and signed into law by Gov. Paul Patton
(D).
1997: No Regular Session.
Anti-marriage bills rejected in 1996 again "pre-filed," although
unless an irregular special session of the legislature is called,
there will be no action until 1998.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 500: Proposed by Rep. Sheldon Baugh (R), to
provide that "a marriage between members of the same sex
which occurs in another jurisdiction shall be void in Kentucky,"
as shall such marriages in Kentucky. Similar language is also
pending in a second House measure introduced by Rep. Kathy
Hogancamp (R) (Floor Amendment 1 to H.B. 219). Legislature
adjourned without further action, thus killing the bill.
House Bill 882: Assigned to Judiciary Committee. No further
details.
Senate Bill 339: Assigned to Senate Judiciary Committee. No
further details.
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Louisiana
Domestic Partnership Municipalities Offering Domestic
Partnership Benefits to Employees:
New Orleans (Orleans): Same-sex Only
Registry: July 16, 1993
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 1450: Anti-marriage measure is introduced,
sponsored by Rep. Fontenot. Passed House and Senate with
no debate, signed into law by governor.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 37: Introduced by Sen. Phil Short (R) to amend
the state constitution so as to outlaw marriage between
persons of the same-sex. Failed twice to get the requisite
two-thirds vote for passage, and ultimately withdrawn on
June 20.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Resolution 27: Attempting to circumvent the rule
limiting the 1996 legislative session to fiscal issues only, a
resolution was proposed to support the federal anti-marriage
bill (DOMA). The bill passed the Senate on May 29, passed
the House in amended form on June 11, and then failed in the
Senate as amended.
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Massachusetts
Domestic Partnership Massachusetts offers Domestic
Partnership Benefits to Employees. 1992.
Registry (September 1992) Governor's Executive Order allows
state workers to register for purposes of bereavement leave
and visitation rights in state prisons and hospitals.
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Boston (Suffolk): August 4, 1998. Executive Order by Mayor
Thomas Menino.
Registry: December 1993
Brewster (Barnstable)
Brookline (Norfolk): 1993. Non-health Benefits
Registry: June 1993
Cambridge (Middlesex): September 1992
Registry: September 1992
Nantucket (Nantucket)
Registry
[Northampton (Hampshire)]: May 1995. REPEALED. This
measure, approved by the City Council in May 1995, was then
repealed by voter referendum in November of 1995.
[Registry]: REPEALED.
Provincetown (Barnstable): 1993.
Registry: 1993. Not limited to Provincetown residents.
Springfield (Hampden): April 1997
Marriage Law 2000:
House Bill 472: Sponsored by Rep. Rogers in 1999 and carried
over. Bill was referred to "study," although it could be
reactivated this year.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Pending.
House Bill 472: Sponsored by Rep. Rogers. Judiciary
Committee hearing on May 18. Bill referred to "study,"
although it could be reactivated.
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Maryland
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Baltimore (Baltimore): January 1995. Same-sex Couples Only.
Takoma Park (Montgomery): November 1988
Marriage Law 2000:
HB 919: A bill to eliminate sex discrimination in marriage is
introduced, allowing "two consenting adults" to marry rather
than restricting the freedom to marry to different-sex
couples.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 1128: Once again, a measure is introduced to
discriminate against the prospective lawful marriages of
same-sex couples. Rejected in committee.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 565: For the third consecutive year, legislators are
pushing an anti-marriage bill, this time in the Senate with a
measure introduced by Senators Colbert (R) and Haines (R).
The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee approved the bill
on March 5, as did the full Senate on March 26. Defeated in
House Judiciary Committee.
Pro-Marriage Bill Defeated.
House Bill 1259: This bill, introduced by Delegate Sharon
Grosfeld (D), would remove discriminatory language in the
family law code prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying.
Defeated in House Judiciary Committee March 25.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Defeated!
House Bill 398: Bill rejected last year again introduced by
Emmett Burns on January 23. Would declare same-sex
couples' lawful marriages "repugnant," and refuse them
recognition. Hearing held on March 12 in House Judiciary
Committee, which defeated the bill on March 17.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Defeated!
House Bill 1268: Introduced on February 15 by Delegate Emmit
Burns to ban recognition of lawful out-of-state marriages by
same-sex couples who move into or return to Maryland.
Rejected by House of Delegates Judiciary Committee 14-8.
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Maine
Domestic Partnership Municipalities Offering Domestic
Partnership Benefits to Employees:
Portland (Cumberland)
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
In response to anti-gay right-wing group's petitions to force
an anti-gay anti-marriage initiative onto the November 1997
ballot, the legislature adopted the discriminatory legislation.
Gov. King refused to sign the bill, blasting it as
unconstitutional and wrong, but allowing it to become law for
the time being rather than permit a referendum.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Defeated!
Bill would have prohibited recognition of same-sex couples'
lawful marriages, but was withdrawn on January 24, 1996. An
anti-marriage non-binding resolution was also rejected.
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Michigan
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Ann Arbor (Washtenaw): August 1992
Registry: November 1991
Detroit (Wayne)
East Lansing (Ingham): June 1993
Registry: March 1991
Wayne County
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 5661: Introduced by Rep. Deborah Whyman (R).
Would prohibit same-sex couples from marrying. Passed by
House.
House Bill 5662: Introduced by Rep. Whyman (R). Would
declare null and void any lawful marriage of same-sex couple
from another state. Passed by House.
Senate Bill 937: Introduced by Sen. William Van Regenmorter.
Would prohibit same-sex couples from marrying. Passed by
Senate.
Senate Bill 938: Introduced by Sen. Van Regenmorter. Would
declare null and void any lawful marriage of same-sex couples
from another state. Passed by Senate. Signed on June 26 by
Governor John Engler (R).
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Minnesota
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
[Hennepin County]: January 1991. REPEALED.
[Minneapolis (Hennepin)]: August 1993. INVALIDATED by
court order, Lilly v. City of Minneapolis 1994 WL 315620
(Minn. Dist. Ct.) The Minneapolis Supreme Court refused to
review the state court of appeals' decision. Lilly v. City of
Minneapolis, 527 N.W.2d 107, rev. denied, March 31, 1995.
[Registry]: January 1991. INVALIDATED by Lilly.
Minneapolis Public Library
Minneapolis School District
St. Paul
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 11: Bill introduced prohibiting same-sex couples
from marrying, refusing to recognize lawful marriages from
other states, and denying same-sex couples "the benefits of
marriage." Referred to Judiciary Committee.
House Bill 41: Referred to Judiciary Committee. Adopted by
Committee as amendment to unrelated health servicest bill as
way of getting around the appropriate subcommittee. Passed
through both houses, and signed into law by Gov. Arne
Carlson (R) on June 2.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Defeated!
House Bill: Anti-marriage amendment introduced, but blocked
as non-germane. No further information at this time.
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Missouri
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Missouri:
St. Louis* (St. Louis)
*Registry Only: March 10, 1997. Allows for visitation at city
medical facilities and jails.
Marriage Law 2000:
House Bill 1187: Reps. Gratz and Vogel have pre-filed an
anti-marriage bill to restrict marriage to different-sex couples
and discriminate against lawful out-of-state married couples.
A similar measure was declared procedurally unconstitutional
by the state supreme court. Meanwhile, two other
anti-marriage measures, HB 1812 and 1819, have also been
introduced and are pending in the Children, Youth, and
Families Committee. SB744: Sen. David Klarich (R) again has
introduced an anti-marriage bill declaring that same-sex
couplesÕ marriages are "invalid and will not be recognized,
even if valid where contracted." Passed the committee on
Feb. 8.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 266: Sponsored by Sen. Klarich, this renewed
anti-marriage effort follows the previous attack, in which an
anti-marriage restriction was introduced as part of an omnibus
bill passed by the legislature and declared unconstitutional by
the state high court. Passed the Senate. Passed the House
Judiciary Committee on April 15, but failed to advance prior to
close of session.
House Bill 821: Similar.
1998: State Supreme Court Declares Anti-Marriage Bill
Unconstitutional.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 895: Introduced by Sen. Kinder on February 6,
1996. Would declare same-sex couples' marriages
presumptively void. Passed by Senate on May 8. Signed by
Gov. Mel Carnahan (D) as Senate Bill 587. House Bill 1458:
Sponsored by Rep. James Froelker. Purports to permit the
"solemnization of same-sex relationships by religious
organizations [while denying them] the benefits, burdens, or
obligations of marriage under the laws of Missouri." Passed by
House.
House Bill 1454: Sponsored by Reps. Glenn Hall and Connie
Cierpiot; adds "persons of the same sex" to list of those
prohibited from marrying. Same Committee.
House Bill 165: Introduced on April 22, 1996. Adds "persons of
the same sex" to list of marriages that are "presumptively
void," as well as language saying that "Missouri is committed
to fostering the institution of marriage between a man and a
woman. To this end, the state of Missouri shall not recognize
any marriage other than between a man and a woman." Same
Committee.
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Missippi
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Mississippi.
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Amendment Blocked!
SCR 510: In addition to the anti-marriage law passed in 1997,
and the governor's anti-marriage executive order before that,
Senator Nunelee proposed an anti-marriage constitutional
amendment. If passed, the proposed amendment would have
gone to the voters for ratification in November 1999. Blocked
in Judiciary Committee on Feb. 2.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 2053: On January 10, without debate or hearings,
Senate passes bill declaring that gay people may not marry
and that lawful marriages of gay people performed in other
states may not be recognized in Mississippi. Passed by House,
signed into law by Governor Kirk Fordice (R) while, as the AP
describes it, "he is recovering from injuries suffered in a car
accident while returning from lunch with an unidentified
woman."
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked! Executive Order Issued.
Senate Bill 2863: Bill proposed, but failed to meet legislative
deadline. No further information.
Executive Order: Despite decision of legislature not to enact
discriminatory legislation, Governor Kirk Fordice issues an
executive order in August, purporting to declare by fiat that
gay people may not get married in Mississippi, and that the
state will not recognize any lawful marriages of same-sex
couples.
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Montana
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Montana.
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 323: Would prohibit same-sex couples from legally
marrying. Hearings held in Judiciary Committee Feb. 13,
passed House. Amended in Senate to declare in addition that
"a contractual relationship entered into for the purpose of
achieving a [prohibited] civil relationship ... is void as against
public policy." Amended version passed the House. Signed by
Governor Racicot on April 30.
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North Carolina
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Carrboro (Orange): 1994.
Registry: October 11, 1994
Chapel Hill (Orange): April 24, 1995. The City Council measure
granted Town employees family and sick leave for domestic
partners and their children. Health benefits were added in May
1995.
Registry: April 24, 1995
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 1302: Introduced by Sen. James Forrester (R) on
May 23, 1996. Declares that "[m]arriages contracted or
performed outside of North Carolina between persons of the
same gender are not valid in Iredell County." Amended to add
eleven other counties. (The bill was a backdoor attempt to
circumvent legislative rules, hence the characterization as a
local bill with application to one county.) Passed without
hearings in House and Senate, becomes law automatically.
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North Dakota
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in North Dakota.
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 2230: Restricts marriage to different-sex couples
only, and provides for recognition of out- of-state marriages,
except those of same-sex couples. Passed Senate. At hearing
in House Judiciary Committee on March 11, the Committee
voted against the bill, giving it a "Do Not Pass"
recommendation. Nevertheless, it passed the House, and was
signed into law on March 25 by Gov. Ed Schafer.
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Nebraska
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Nebraska.
Marriage Law 2000:
LB513: Anti-marriage bill carried over from last year.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Legislative Bill 513: Co-sponsored by 23 legislators, an
anti-marriage bill was once again introduced in this unicameral
legislature, and failed to advance.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Legislative Bill 280: Anti-marriage bill sponsored by Sen.
Jensen (R), held over from last year. Failed to advance prior
to legislative adjournment.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Legislative Bill 280: "The Nebraska Defense of Marriage Act"
was introduced by Sen. Jim Jensen on January 13. Restricts
marriage to different-sex couples only, denying recognition to
lawful marriages. Judiciary Committee held hearing 2/19.
Successful filibuster by Senator Ernie Chambers blocked
passage.
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New Hampshire
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in New Hampshire.
Marriage Law 2000:
HB1293: Rep. Gary Torressen (R) introduced another
anti-marriage bill declaring invalid the lawful marriages of
same-sex couples. The bill will be heard in the Children and
Family Law Committee on Jan. 13.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 260: Introduced by Re. Paul Mirski (R). Restricts
marriage to only different-sex couples. Following hearing in
Judiciary Committee, rejected by full House by vote of 261 to
85.
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New Jersey
Domestic Partnership State of New Jersey.
In Litigation AAUP v. Rutgers: Lambda is participating in a
case with NOW Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU of New
Jersey against Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey,
which denies dependent coverage to unmarried employees
whose partners need insurance.
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Gloucester County: Non-health Benefits.
Marriage Law 2000:
A803: Anti-marriage bill carried over from last year.
S57: Anti-marriage bill carried over from last year.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Proposed.
Assembly Bill 706: Carried over from last year, having failed to
advance.
Senate Bill 1281: Same.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 706: Anti-marriage bill held over in Assembly
from last year. Failed to advance.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 2193: Introduced by Assemblywoman Marion
Crecco (R), the sponsor of the previous year's bill. Would
amend NJ law to state that "[p]ersons of the same sex shall
not marry," that any such marriage would be "absolutely void"
in New Jersey, and that "[m]arriage between persons of the
same sex is against the [state's] public policy." Passed Health
Committee. Failed to advance.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 2193: Introduced by Assemblywoman Marion
Crecco (R). Would amend NJ law to state that "[p]ersons of
the same sex shall not marry," that any such marriage would
be "absolutely void" in New Jersey, and that "[m]arriage
between persons of the same sex is against the [state's]
public policy.
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New Mexico
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in New Mexico.
Marriage Law 2000:- BLOCKED!
Senate Bill 189: Sponsored by Sen. Leonard Rawson, this
latest version of an anti-marriage bill in New Mexico (the fifth
year one has been pushed) blatantly targets gay people,
explicitly assuring respect to all lawful out-of-state marriages
except for those of same-sex couples, and would bar gay
people from marrying. Bill was rejected and legislature
adjourned on Feb. 17 (although there will be a limited special
session in May).
Senate Joint Res. 18: Similar.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 201: Sponsored by Earlene Roberts, once again an
anti-marriage measure is introduced in the state legislature.
The Mormon Church sent $30,000 to the state to be used in
pressuring the legislature into adopting it. Tabled by a 6-1
vote in the Consumer and Public Affairs Committee February
17.
Senate Bill 186: Same, sponsored by Senator Rawson.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Joint Resolution 4: For the third consecutive year,
anti-marriage bill introduced, sponsored by Sen. Adair (R).
Would have put before voters a proposed constitutional
amendment to mandate sex discrimination in marriage. Failed
to advance prior to close of session.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 640: Limits marriage to different-sex couples.
Recognizes as valid all out-of-state marriages except those of
same-sex couples. Punishes anyone celebrating a same-sex
couple's marriage. Approved by Consumer and Public Affairs
Committee. Failed to proceed prior to adjournment.
Senate Joint Resolution 8: Proposes to amend state
constitution to declare that only different-sex couples'
marriages shall be permited or recognized. Failed to proceed
prior to adjournment.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Joint Resolution 10: A proposed constitutional
amendment to prevent legal recognition of same-sex couples'
lawful marriages, failed to be brought to the floor and thus
died in the Senate on February 15.
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Nevada
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Nevada.
Marriage Law 2000:
Although the legislature does not convene this year, a
right-wing group has announced its intention to seek
signatures for a November ballot measure, the so-called
"Protection of Marriage Initiative," aimed at writing anti-gay,
anti-marriage discriminatory language into the state
constitution. The proponents of discrimination have until June
20 to collect 44,009 signatures representing at least 10
percent of registered voters in 13 of 17 counties.
There has been no marriage legislation introduced in Nevada.
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New York
Domestic Partnership New York offers Domestic Partnership
Benefits to Employees (1995)
The Civil Service Employees Association, representing most
(but not all) New York State public employees, reached an
agreement to include domestic partnership benefits in its new
contract.
Funderburke v. Uniondale Free School: In Litigation. In New
York, the state government provides its employees' domestic
partners with health insurance coverage, but local
government agencies that use the state's health insurance
plan to provide their employees with benefits are given the
option of not including domestic partners in their coverage.
Lambda is supporting a challenge on marital status
discrimination grounds to a local government that excludes
partners.
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Albany (Albany): 1994.
Registry
Brooklyn Public Library
Ithaca (Tompkins): January 1991
Registry: August 1990
New York City (New York, Kings, Queens, Bronx & Richmond):
October 1993
Registry: January 1993
[New York State Attorney's Office]: Withdrawn by Attorney
General Dennis Vacco.
Rochester (Monroe): April 1994
Registry: April 1994
Marriage Law 2000:
S.5228: Anti-marriage bill again sponsored by Senator Maltese
(R), carried over from last year.
A.594: Anti-marriage bill again sponsored by Rep. Seminerio
(R), carried over from last year.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Proposed.
Assembly Bill 594: Assembly Member Seminerio again
introduces anti-marriage bill, which would void same-sex
couples's lawful marriages if they return, come to, or travel
through New York. Referred to Judiciary Committee.
Senate Bill 5528: Same, sponsored by Senator Padavan.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 158: Anti-marriage bill introduced again, for third
consecutive year. Failed to advance.
Senate Bill 1649: Same.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 158: Introduced by Assemblymember Seminerio.
Companion bill introduced by Senator Maltese. Would make
lawful marriages of same-sex couples "absolutely void" in New
York State. Failed to advance.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 7345: Introduced by Senator Maltese (R). Would
amend domestic relations law to declare that "a marriage is
absolutely void if contracted by two persons of the same sex,
regardless of whether such marriage is recognized or
solemnized in another jurisdiction. Referred to Judiciary
Committee. Legislature adjourned without action.
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Ohio
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Ohio.
Marriage Law 2000:
SB240: Sen. Jay Hottinger (R) has announced his intention to
again introduce an anti-marriage bill in Ohio.
HB547: Rep. Jim Jordan (R) has announced his intention to
again introduce an anti-marriage bill in Ohio.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 160: Anti-marriage bill held over from last year.
Failed to advance.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 160: Introduced by Representative Jay Hottinger
(R), the vice chair of the Insurance Committee, on January
29, 1997. States that only a man age 18 or over and a
woman age 16 or over may marry, and would specifically
prevent valid marriages from other states from being
recognized in Ohio. Assigned to Civil and Commerical Law
Committee. Failed to advance.
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Oklahoma
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Oklahoma.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 2554: Introduced by Rep. Tim Pope (R). Says "A
marriage between persons of the same gender performed in
another state shall not be recognized as valid and binding in
this state as of the date of the marriage." Failed in
committee.
Senate Bill 73: Rep. Pope's language above incorporated as
amendment to bill sponsored by Senator Hendrick. Passed by
House and Senate without hearings. Signed by Governor.
House Res. 1045: Non-binding resolution introduced by Rep.
Hamilton. As part of an attack on the National Education
Association, declares that "persons who engage in same-sex
marriages should not be permitted to adopt or provide foster
care to children in this state."
Return to top
Oregon
Domestic Partnership Oregon offers Domestic Partnership
Benefits to Employees.
Lambda helped defend benefits from unsuccessful challenge in
Tanner v. Oregon Health Sciences University.
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Ashland (Jackson)
Registry Only: October 5, 1999
Corvallis (Benton): 1997.
Eugene (Lane)
Eugene Water and Electrical Board (EWEB)
Multnomah County: 1993.
Portland (Multnomah): June 1994
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Amendment Blocked!
HJR 29: Reps. Mannix and Witt introduce an anti-marriage
constitutional amendment proposal. It would authorize
discrimination against gay people's freedom to marry, as well
as attempt to overturn last year's court decision interpreting
the state constitution to forbid sexual orientation
discrimination in the provision of health benefits and other
protections. A version passed the House, now labeled HJR 4,
but was rejected by the Senate.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 577: Introduced by Senator Marylin Shannon (R).
Would restrict marriage to only different-sex couples. Passed
Senate 5/22/97. Amendments defeated in House Judiciary
family law subcommittee, which referred bill on to full Judiciary
Committee and, if passed there, to House Rules Committee.
Failed to advance.
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Pennsylvania
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Lower Merton School District: June 7, 1996.
Philadelphia (Philadelphia): June 7, 1996. City employees also
enjoy housing tax break prviously only given to married
couples. Same-sex couples only. Registry
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 2604: Introduced by Rep. Alan Egolf (R) on May 7.
Would declare "same-sex marriage" to be "repugnant to our
public policy," and states that "No same-sex marriage shall be
recognized as entitled to the benefits of marriage." Further
says that "any marriage entered into by persons of the same
sex, where such license is issued by another state... shall be
void... and any contractual rights granted by virtue of such
license, including its termination, shall be unenforceable in the
courts [of Pennsylvania]." Passed by House.
Senate Bill 155: Senate concurs on Oct. 1. Signed by
Governor Tom Ridge (R).
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Rhode Island
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Rhode Island.
Marriage Law 2000:
H. 7589: Rep. Mike Pisaturo (D) introduces a bill to end sex
discrimination in civil marriage. Committee hearing held.
S. 2380: Similar
H. 7552: Anti-marriage bill introduced as well.
1999: Pro-Marriage Bill Proposed!
House Bill 5517: On Feb. 2, Rep. Mike Pisaturo (D) introduced
a bill to end sex discrimination in civil marriage. Referred to
Judiciary Committee.
1998: Pro-Marriage Bill Proposed!
House Bill 7994: Pro-marriage bill introduced by Rep. Pisaturo
(D) to end discrimination against same-sex couples seeking
the equal freedom to marry.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill: Anti-marriage bill introduced. Rejected 11 to 5 by
House Judiciary Committee on April 11, and failed to proceed.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 7587: Introduced by Reps. Flaherty and Knowles on
January 23, 1996. Amendment to Chapter 15-3 of the General
Laws entitled "Solemnization of Marriages" states that Rhode
Island will only recognize as valid a marriage that "comports
with and meets all conditions and requirements pursuant to
this chapter." Tabled by Rhode Island House Judiciary
Committee at a public hearing at the State House in
Providence on February 1, 1996.
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South Carolina
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in South Carolina.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 4502: Introduced by Rep. Simrill (R) on January 25,
1996. Provides that same-sex couples' marriages performed in
other states are not valid or recognized in South Carolina.
Passed House.
Senate Bill 1151: Passed by Senate. Signed by Governor
Beaseley (R) May 20, 1996.
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South Dakota
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in South Dakota.
Marriage Law 2000:
HB 1163 Not content with having passed an anti-marriage
measure in 1996, the legislature passed an additional
anti-gay, anti-marriage bill declaring that the state will
respect any marriage contracted out of state except for
those of same-sex couples. The bill was sponsored by House
Speaker Roger Hunt (R).
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 1143: Defines marriage as being "between a man
and a woman." The House voted on January 29, 1996 to pass
bill. Passed in the Senate under pressure from right-wing
extremist groups such as the Family Research Council. Signed
into law by Governor February 21. Unless repealed, will be
subject of litigation by couples forced to protect their lawful
marriages and families, as well as employers, creditors, and
civil rights groups.
1995: Anti-Marriage Bill Proposed and Defeated
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Tennessee
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Tennessee.
Marriage Law 1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 2305: Introduced by Sen. Holcomb. Amends
Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 3, Part 5 by
adding that it is the state's public policy "to recognize the
union of only a man and a woman," and that marriages
between persons of the same sex "are prohibited in this
state." Additionally, an amendment has been proposed to spell
out legislative policy "to recognize the family, which begins
with the marriage of one (1) man and one (1) woman...."
Passed by Senate.
House Bill 2907: Identical companion bill. Passed by House.
Signed by Governor.
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Texas
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
[Austin (Travis)]: September 1993. REPEALED, May 7, 1994
by referendum. In Litigation A suit has been filed on behalf of
three couples who had registered, Bailey v. City of Austin, No.
9407318 (Travis Co. Dist. Ct.). Registry
Travis County: 1993. Non-health Benefits Registry
Marriage Law 1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
HB 383: Rep. Chisum introduces yet another anti-marriage bill.
Referred to State Affairs Committee. Failed to advance
Senate Joint Resolution 1: Proposed amendment to state
constitution contains language on the Family Code/community
property that might restrict marriage to different-sex couples.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 11: Rep. Warren Chisum (R) filed "emergency" bill
barring recognition under all circumstances for lawful marriage
of same-sex couples. After lengthy procedural back and forth,
failed to proceed.
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Utah
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Utah.
Marriage Law 1995: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
In 1995 three states (AK, SD, UT) were pressured to adopt
anti-marriage laws; two refused. Only one state, Utah,
actually adopted one of these unconstitutional anti-marriage
laws, thereby guaranteeing that its taxpayers will face costly
and likely losing litigation brought by couples (and others)
seeking to defend lawful marriages (once marriage
discrimination is ended through a case such as that pending in
Hawaii).
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Virginia
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Arlington County: July 1, 1997
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
House Bill 1589: Introduced in House of Delegates by Johnson.
Adds to prohibition on marriages by same-sex couples
language declaring such lawful marriages to be void, and all
contractual rights created by such lawful marriages to be void
and unenforceable. Passed by House.
Senate Bill 884: Similar bill passed by Senate. Signed into law
by Gov. Allen (R).
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 1189: Introduced in House of Delegates by James
McClure. Subsequently stricken from docket with the consent
of the sponsor. Unlikely to advance.
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Vermont
Domestic Partnership Vermont offers domestic partnership
benefits to employees.
1991
Municipalities offering domestic partnership benefits to
employees:
Burlington (Chittenden): January 1993
Middlebury (Addison): September 1995
Marriage Law 2000:
On December 20, 1999, the Vermont Supreme Court ruled in
Baker v. State that same-sex couples can no longer be
denied full and equal protections, benefits, and responsibilities
under the law. The Court gave the legislature first crack at
deciding how to provide equality, while retaining jurisdiction
over the case to assess what the legislature does in the
session beginning Jan. 2000. The Court left open the question
whether a Òseparate but equalÓ approach would satisfy the
constitutionÕs command of equality, or whether only ending
discrimination in marriage itself would suffice.
H 479: Anti-marriage measure carried over from last year.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
H 479: Anti-marriage bill sponsored by Rep. Schiavone to
prohibit people from marrying a person they love of the same
sex, and to "deny effect to any public act, record or judicial
proceeding of any other state or jurisdiction regarding [their]
lawful marriage." Failed to advance.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 182: Anti-marriage bill introduced to prohibit
same-sex couples from marrying, but failed to advance prior
to adjournment.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 182: Introduced by Rep. Nancy Sheltra (R). Would
prohibit same-sex couples from marrying, and deny any such
couples' lawful marriages recognition under all circumstances.
Referred to Judiciary Committee. Failed to proceed by
adjournment June 30.
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Washington
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Edmonds School District
King County: January 1993
Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Metro)
Olympia (Thurston): November 1994
Seattle (King): March 1990
Registry: September 6, 1994. Open to Anyone.
Seattle City Light Company
Seattle Public Library
Tumwater (Thurston): May 1997
Marriage Law 1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Adopted.
Senate Bill 5400, House Bill 1130: For third consecutive year,
anti-marriage bills introduced. With minimal debate or process,
the bills passed both houses in one day, Feb. 6, and then
went to Governor Gary Locke, who again vetoed the measure.
Within hours, both houses, without debate, overrode the veto
-- an unprecedented course of events. The anti-marriage law
takes effect in ninety days, without going to the voters for a
referendum (the alternative some legislators frantically sought
to avoid). The law restricts marriage to different-sex couples,
and discriminates against lawful marriages celebrated
elsewhere.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 5398: Would deny marriage to same-sex couples,
and would invalidate their lawful marriages from other states.
Passed by House and Senate. On Feb. 21, Governor Gary
Locke (D) vetoed the bill as a "measure that would divide,
disrespect, or diminish our humanity." On Feb. 26, by a vote
of 26 to 20, the Senate failed to override the governor's veto.
Legislators in the House attempted to rush same measure
onto a special June ballot; failing that, the House voted
narrowly (50-48) to send the measure to voters in
September. Measure died in conference committee after
Senate refused to authorize a referendum, thereby sustaining
the Governor's veto.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 2262: Introduced on January 8, 1996 by Rep.
Thompson (R). Provided that same-sex couples' marriages
performed in other states are not valid or recognized in
Washington. Passed the House 60-36. The Senate declined to
act on the bill prior to adjournment on March 8, thus killing it.
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Wisconsin
Domestic Partnership Municipalities offering domestic
partnership benefits to employees:
Dane County: Non-health Benefits
Dane County Regional Planning Commission: Non-health
Benefits
Madison (Dane): October 1999
Registry: August 1988
Madison Metropolitan School District:August 1988.
Milwaukee (Milwaukee): 9/1/99
Shorewood Hills (Dane): 1991. Applies only to city pool
memberships.
Marriage Law 2000:
Assembly Bill 781: Once again, an anti-marriage bill is
introduced to deny respect to the lawful marriages of
same-sex couples out of state. Referred to Ctee on Family
Law.
Senate Bill 401: Similar. Referred to Judiciary and Consumer
Affairs Ctee.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 104: Anti-marriage bill carried over from last
year. Passed the Assembly in 1997, sent to Senate. Bill failed
to advance in regular or special session.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Assembly Bill 104: Anti-marriage bill again introduced. Hearing
held in Committee on Children and Families. Passed the
Assembly on May 13. Failed to advance.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill: Introduced by Rep. Loraine Seratti. Died in
committee.
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West Virginia
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in West Virginia.
Marriage Law 2000:
SB 40: Sen. Boley introduced an anti-marriage bill to limit
marriage to different-sex couples. Passed the Senate. HB
2036: Yet another anti-marriage measure is introduced, this
one by Delegates Coleman, Faircloth, and Harrison. The bill
declares, in part that Òa public act, record or judicial
proceeding... respecting a relationship between persons of
the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of
any other state... or a right or claim arising from the
relationship shall not be given effect by this state.Ó A
last-minute parliamentary move leads to passage of the bill,
which goes to Gov. Underwood for signature.
1999: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
HB 2036: Another bill to again try to ban same-sex couples
from marrying. Referred to Judiciary Committee. Failed to
advance, even as part of omnibus measure.
Senate Bill 17: Another discriminatory measure aimed at
selectively excluding same-sex couples' out-of-state lawful
marriages from those treated equally by the state. Failed to
advance.
1998: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
Senate Bill 50: Once again, an anti-marriage bill is introduced
to restrict civil marriage to different-sex couples. Sponsored
by Sen. Donna Boley (R), the bill goes to the Judiciary
Committee.
Senate Bill 247: Without hearings or debate, the House
Judiciary Committee chair substituted a bill for this senate
measure, incorporating anti-marriage provisions. Died in
Conference Committee, prior to adjournment. Although there
will be a special session, the anti-marriage measures are not
on the agenda.
1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 2179: Would deny same-sex couples' lawful
marriages recognition in the state. Bill was amended in Senate
Judiciary, passed the Senate, but then failed to advance out
of conference committee.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 4730: Introduced by Rep. Steve Harrison on last
day of session. Provides that out-of-state marriages will be
recognized as valid except for certain marriages, including
those "between persons of the same sex." Bill failed to
advance.
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Wyoming
Domestic Partnership There are no municipalities offering
domestic partner benefits in Wyoming.
Marriage Law 1997: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 94: Proposal to withhold recognition for lawful
marriages from other states, and to void any in Wyoming,
introduced by Rep. Garcia. Bill failed to advance past the
Labor, Health, and Social Service Committee and is now dead.
1996: Anti-Marriage Bill Blocked!
House Bill 142: Proposal to declare the "invalidity of same-sex
marriages" failed to receive enough votes for introduction.