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Same sex marriage (SSM) and civil unions

In Wyoming, the "Equality State"

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Overview:

Wyoming statutes specify that only one man and one woman can marry in the state. However, the marriage act may be vulnerable to a future court challenge launched by a same-sex couple who want to get married in the state, or who has already married in another state and wants Wyoming to recognize their married status. The current marriage statutes may violate up to three equality sections of the Wyoming constitution.

In early 2009 an attempt was made by a group of Republican state representatives to start the process of amending the Wyoming constitution. The stated goal was to add a new section to the constitution that would restrict marriage to one man and one woman in the state. The actual goal appears to have been much more ambitious. In addition to banning SSM in the state, the amendment would also remove the authority of the Legislature to create a system of civil unions for same-sex couples like those pioneered by Vermont. A civil union would grant them some or all of the state rights and privileges given to opposite-sex married couples.

The attempt failed. It was approved by a House committee, but rejected by the full House. It was also rejected by the Senate committee and thus was not presented for a Senate vote.

This is the second failed attempt to write discrimination based on sexual orientation into the Wyoming constitution. The first was two years previously; it almost passed.

Topics covered in this section:

	Marriage statutes. Recognition of same-sex marriages solemnized elsewhere.
	Constitutional amendment. Promotion of the amendment.
	Committee hearing on the constitutional amendment.
	House vote on the constitutional amendment.

Site navigation:

Home > Religious info. > Basic > Marriage > SSM > Menu >here

Home > "Hot" topics > Homosexuality > SSM > Menu > here

First posted: 2009-FEB-10
Latest update: 2009-FEB-10
Author: B.A. Robinson

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