Marriage Equality USA

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Current Status

  • On 25 November 2014, U.S.District Judge Carlton Reeves issued a Preliminary Injunction prohibiting the state from enforcing the ban on same-sex marriage. On 4 December 2014, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay to Reeves' ruling. See Campaign for Southern Equality v. Bryant under LAWSUITS-PENDING below.
  • 1 marriage case in Federal District Court; 1 same-sex divorce case in the state Supreme Court.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE

  • Mississippi is the state that, historically, has polled the lowest in public support for marriage equality. Studies indicate the percentage of those opposed has gone down by about 1-2 percent per year since 2004. 
  • January 2014, the university town of Starkville became the first city in MS to adopt a symbolic inclusivity resolution asserting the worth of all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
  • 3 April 2014, Gov. Phil Bryant (R) signed into law SB 2681, a “religious liberty” bill that could be used to justify various forms of discrimination, including anti-LGBT discrimination. The law became effective 1 July 2014.
  • 5 September 2014,  Starkville became the first municipality in the state to offer domestic-partner benefits to city employees. The Board of Aldermen approved the measure unanimously. Mayor Parker Wiseman also announced plans to appoint two liaisons to work with LGBT residents.
  •  Marriage equality was banned by state statute and 2004 constitutional amendment from 2004 until 2014.

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