LGBT issues on the ballot

LGBT issues on the ballot: This topic refers to ballot measures regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) people. Major topics include same-sex marriage, domestic partnerships (see marriage and family), and discrimination.

Examples:

• California Proposition 8, the "Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry" Initiative (2008)
• Oregon Governments Cannot Create Classifications Based on Homosexuality, Ballot Measure 13 (1994)

Ballot measures lists

By state By year Did not make ballot California California Proposition 6, the Briggs Initiative (1978) Colorado Colorado No Protected Status for Sexual Orientation Amendment, Initiative 2 (1992) Florida Florida Definition of Marriage, Amendment 2 (2008) Idaho Idaho State Policies Regarding Homosexuality, Proposition 1 (1994) Maine Maine Discrimination Law Initiative, Question 1 (1995) Maine Prohibit Sexual Orientation Discrimination Act, Question 6 (2000) Maine Same-Sex Marriage People's Veto, Question 1 (2009) Maine Sexual Orientation Discrimination People's Veto, Question 1 (February 1998) Maine Sexual Orientation Veto Referendum, Question 1 (2005) Missouri Missouri Commission on Human Rights Initiative (2014) Oregon Oregon Government Cannot Facilitate, Must Discourage Homosexuality, Other "Behaviors," Ballot Measure 9 (1992) Oregon Governments Cannot Create Classifications Based on Homosexuality, Ballot Measure 13 (1994) Oregon Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination, Ballot Measure 7 (1994) Washington Washington Anti-Discrimination Act, Initiative 677 (1997) Washington Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities, Referendum 71 (2009) 2014 Missouri Commission on Human Rights Initiative (2014) 2009 Maine Same-Sex Marriage People's Veto, Question 1 (2009) Washington Domestic Partners Rights and Responsibilities, Referendum 71 (2009) 2008 Florida Definition of Marriage, Amendment 2 (2008) 2005 Maine Sexual Orientation Veto Referendum, Question 1 (2005) 2000 Maine Prohibit Sexual Orientation Discrimination Act, Question 6 (2000) 1998 Maine Sexual Orientation Discrimination People's Veto, Question 1 (February 1998) 1997 Washington Anti-Discrimination Act, Initiative 677 (1997) 1995 Maine Discrimination Law Initiative, Question 1 (1995) 1994 Idaho State Policies Regarding Homosexuality, Proposition 1 (1994) Oregon Governments Cannot Create Classifications Based on Homosexuality, Ballot Measure 13 (1994) Oregon Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination, Ballot Measure 7 (1994) 1992 Colorado No Protected Status for Sexual Orientation Amendment, Initiative 2 (1992) Oregon Government Cannot Facilitate, Must Discourage Homosexuality, Other "Behaviors," Ballot Measure 9 (1992) 1978 California Proposition 6, the Briggs Initiative (1978) Did not make ballot California "Children Learning Accurate Social Science" Initiative (2012) California Non-Discrimination Requirements for School Material (2012) California Repeal of Senate Bill 48 (2012) California Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry Initiative (2012) California Rules Governing Family Life Instruction in Public Schools (2012) Colorado Discrimination Repeal Amendment (2012) Florida Marriage Amendment (2012) Washington Military Employment Actions Initiative (2010)

Voting on LGBT Issues Ballot Measures By state By year Not on ballot Local Measures Issues Measures by topic Measures by year Measures by state

One man and one woman?

Many marriage-related ballot measures offer definitions of marriage as a union of one man and one woman. In defining marriage in that fashion, proponents are saying that when a man and a man, or a woman and a woman, enter into a committed relationship with each other, their arrangements with each other should not legally be considered a marriage. These ballot measures are sometimes collectively referred to as Defense of Marriage Amendments or "DOMAs".

Altogether, voters in 29 states have passed state constitutional amendments that ban same-sex marriage: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Hawaii voters approved a constitutional amendment empowering the legislature to outlaw same-sex marriage; that state's lawmakers then did so in 1998.

Voters in Arizona rejected an attempt to ban same-sex marriage in 2006, but voters later approved a narrower ban on same-sex marriage that did not affect civil unions or domestic partnerships.

In 2009 voters in Washington approved granting all the rights of marriage to registered domestic partners.

Not all marriage-related amendments and initiatives are about defining marriage; some of them relate to adoption, custody, divorce and other marriage-related issues.

External links

• LibGuide resources at Dmoz.org
• Financial contributions for LGBT ballot measures at FollowTheMoney.org