Mississippi Amendment 1 (2004)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Same-sex marriage
Performed nationwide in
Netherlands (2001) Belgium (2003) Spain (2005) Canada (2005) South Africa (2006)
Performed statewide in
Massachusetts, USA (2004)
Foreign same-sex marriage recognized in
Israel (2006)
Debate in other countries and regions
Argentina Aruba Australia Austria China Estonia France Ireland Italy Latvia Lithuania New Zealand Portugal Romania Sweden Taiwan United Kingdom United States:   CA, CT, MD, NY, NJ, OR, VT, WA
See also
Civil union Registered partnership Domestic partnership Timeline of same-sex marriage Listings by country
This box: view • talk • edit

Amendment 1 of 2004 is a so-called "defense of marriage amendment" that amended the Mississippi Constitution by adding a definition of marriage that has the effect of preventing same-sex marriages from being conducted or recognized in Mississippi. The Amendment passed a public referendum in November 2, 2004 with 86% of voters supporting and 14% opposing.^[1]

The text of the adopted amendment, which is found at Article XIV, section 263A of the Mississippi Constitution, states:

Marriage may take place and may be valid under the laws of this state only between a man and a woman. A marriage in another state or foreign jurisdiction between persons of the same gender, regardless of when the marriage took place, may not be recognized in this state and is void and unenforceable under the laws of this state.^[2]

[edit] References