Gay marriage in montana
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Montanans React To The Supreme Court's Gay Marriage Ruling
Bozeman's Stacey Haugland never thought she'd exist to see the afternoon when gay marriage would be legalized nationwide. The Supreme Court today guaranteed that right."I assumed that by being a sapphic I would never possess a job, own a home, I would always be an outcast in society. You just assume not to be included," Haugland says. "I'm approaching 50 so this is a lifetime thing. I'll cry talking about it. It's just an astounding moment."
Haugland and her boyfriend, Mary Leslie, are veterans of the long debate over same-sex marriage rights. They were one of six couples represented by the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana in an earlier lawsuit looking for domestic partnership recognition.
Haugland says her partner lost everything years ago, after her partner's ex-girlfriend was killed in a workplace accident.
"The woman's estranged parents were able to empty out the house and bare out the checkbook. Mary had to sell her home. She had no say in where her partner was buried. She never got to watch her body. (It was a) huge, huge traumatic incident that was made worse because of the lack of relationship safeguard
The Freedom to Marry in Montana
Winning Marriage:November 19, 2015
Same-sex couples began marrying in Montana on November 19, 2015 after U.S. District Court Judge Brian Morris ruled in favor of the freedom to unite in a federal legal case challenging the state’s anti-marriage laws. The decision followed a pro-marriage judgment from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which set a precedent for the freedom to partner across the circuit, including in Montana.
History and the Path to Victory:
- 1997: The Montana Legislature passes a state statute restricting marriage to different-sex couples.
- November 2, 2004: Opponents of the freedom to wed in Montana push through Initiative 96, a constitutional amendment denying same-sex couples the freedom to wed and any other legal family status. The amendment cements clearly discriminatory language into the Montana Constitution.
- 2004-2014: As Americans nationwide participate in conversations about why marriage matters, national and local advocates in Montana take strides toward increasing understanding of same-sex couples and their families.
- March 2014: Polling in Montana tracks growing support for the freedom to m
Erin In The Morning
It’s not about discrimination, but “men and women are engineered differently.” It’s not prejudiced to acknowledge “biological and social reality.” It’s not just a “social construct.” It’s about protecting the children.
These were the words of Derek Oestreicher, leader legal counsel for the Montana Family Foundation, a conservative advocacy group, who was the sole opponent during the public comment period to speak against a Montana Bill that would fortify same-sex marriage rights within the state.
Given that state courts commanded in favor of gay marriage rights in 2014, which was reaffirmed by SCOTUS in 2015, and because thousands upon thousands of gay Montanans acquire been already wed, one might assume same-sex marriage was already formally legalized. But this is not so. The state constitution still technically classifies legal marriage as a privilege between “one man and one woman” via a 2004 amendment. Earlier this year, state legislators tried—and failed—to enact a commandment to supersede Obergefell, reinstating the same-sex marriage ban. It joined at least eight other states in attempting to do so.
Representative Zooey Zephyr, a Democrat, introduced l
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