Marriage: The State of Legal Unions

Marriage equality legislation introduced

OutFront Minnesota, Rainbow Families, Project 515 Joint Statement discouraging marriage litigation

National GLBT and civil rights groups Joint Statement discouraging marriage litigation

Several states offer some form of legal recognition of same-sex couples. Massachusetts (2003), Connecticut (2008), Iowa (2009), and Vermont (2009) permit same-sex couples to marry, while several other states offer something similar to marriage such as civil unions or domestic partnerships.

California had instituted same-sex marriage in the spring of 2008, only to be reversed later in the year by a constitutional amendment banning marriage equality.

If you marry in another state or take advantage of another legal structure to formalize your relationship, tell us!

Marriage confers significant legal rights and protections at the federal and state levels. Same-sex couples should have access to these legal rights.

Since the 1990s, the federal government and most states have passed laws, constitutional amendments, or both to restrict marriage to different-sex couples only.  Minnesota currently has a statute, but not a constitutional amendment, prohibiting same-sex couples from marrying.  OutFront Minnesota led a successful effort from 2004-2006 to keep a constitutional amendment question off our ballot. 

The only option for legal recognition for same-sex couples in Minnesota is Minneapolis’ Domestic-Partner Registry, which is largely symbolic.  There are other important steps couples in Minnesota should consider taking to protect themselves in the absence of marriage. 

OutFront Minnesota supports full legal equality for same-sex couples in Minnesota. We will continue to oppose any constitutional amendment that would enshrine discrimination in that document. At the same time, we understand that securing marriage equality in Minnesota will require building support at the grassroots level as well as a supportive legislature and governor. 

Our public policy efforts are focused on strengthening support for GLBT equality at the state Capitol.  Our work at the Capitol is supported by extensive organizing throughout Minnesota, mobilizing supporters of GLBT equality to vote and to contact their elected officials. 

In the meantime, OutFront Minnesota supports bills in the legislature which improve the legal standing of same-sex relationships, recognizing these steps are a beginning, not an end, to the conversation.