Nevada to Ratify Same-Sex Marriage in Its Constitution

By Mary Anne R. (staff@latinpost.com) First Posted: Nov 09, 2020 08:06 AM EST

Jacky Swallia (L) and Megan Swallia, who is expecting twins, react after getting married by wedding officiant Greg Chase (C) at Las Vegas PRIDE's National Coming Out Day festival at the Alexis Park All Suite Resort on October 11, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The state began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on October 9 after the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals struck down Nevada and Idaho's ban on gay marriages. (Photo : Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Nevada is set to become the first state to ratify same-sex marriage its state constitution as the general election garners majority support.

About 62 percent of voters on Tuesday showed support for a constitutional amendment, acknowledging marriage "as between couples regardless of gender."

Earlier, Nevada was one of the 30 U.S. states with a constitution that defined marriage as strictly between one man and one woman.

The ban was imposed in 2002 following a voter referendum only to be rejected by a state appeals court in 2014.

The U.S. Supreme Court legalized marriage equality nationwide in 2015.

Human Rights Campaign Nevada State Director Briana Escamilla said that she hoped that amendment would remind lawmakers "across the country that LGBTQ equality is a winning issue millions of voters care about and prioritize at the ballot," as reported by Huff Post.

Escamilla said that with the passage of this amendment Nevada has sent a message that it is a welcoming place for anyone looking to build a life there.

Escamilla said that this is an overwhelming majority should be a reminder that LGBTQ equality is not just the right to do, adding that this is what Nevadans want.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ advocacy groups lauded Nevada for the move despite being the center of attention in an undecided presidential race.

A national survey was released after news of Nevada's amendment.

Survey found that support for marriage equality is at an all-time high in the United States.

Around 70 percent of U.S. residents approved of same-sex couples having the right to be officially unionize based on a 2020 American Values Survey released last month.

Nevada resident Lyric Burt is one of the many happy residents that Nevada is the first state that has taken a stand.

Burt said that Nevada has voted red for so long in a lot of presidential elections. Due to that, it got this reputation for being a conservative state.

Burt said that there are some things in Nevada that show that it is a progressive state, as reported in an Independent.

YeVonne Allen, a local LGBT+ activist, said that Nevada kind of a rock star, adding that in 20 years the climate of the state has totally shifted.

One of the LGBTQ+ advocates said that Nevada has led the way in the nation on LGBTQ+ protections.

Andre Wade added that yesterday's passage of Ballot Question 2 is yet another big step forward and important protection now afforded LGBTQ+ Nevadans.

Wade said that Silver State Equality praises Nevadans who voted overwhelmingly to change the state's constitution and recognize all marriages, regardless of gender.

Wade is the director of Silver State Equality.

The new constitutional amendment will mean that even if the Supreme Court decides to revert the Obergefell v. Hodges, which will erase same-sex marriage federal protections, these couples will still be able to legally marry in Nevada.

In Delaware, Sarah McBride became the first openly transgender state senator in the United States.

Mauree Turner, in Oklahoma, became the first openly non-binary state legislature.

Tags Nevada, Same-Sex Marriage, lgbtq