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Gay marriage battlegrounds: 12 states to watch
After two big victories for gay marriage June 26 in the US Supreme Court, proponents have momentum as the battle returns to the states.
Three more states – Illinois, New Jersey, and Hawaii – could legalize same-sex marriage this year, joining 13 states plus the District of Columbia that already allow it. Next year could see another wave, with as many as five states moving to repeal constitutional bans. Nevada’s constitutional ban could fall in 2016. And New Mexico, which does not have a constitutional ban, could also take action. Court cases could also hasten legalization in some states, such as Pennsylvania, and ultimately could bring the issue back to the US Supreme Court.
One state may be moving toward stronger defense of traditional marriage: Indiana, which already bans same-sex marriage by law but appears headed for a vote on a constitutional ban.
Here’s the state-by-state rundown.
Michael Deschenes (l.) and Cary Bass, who had church wedding in 2012, attend a San Francisco celebration for the Supreme Court's rulings on Prop. 8 and DOMA, on Wednesday, June 26, 2013. They got legally married in Oakland, Calif., two days later. (Mathew Sumner/AP)
1. Illinois
Gay marriage passed the state Senate in February, with the support of Gov. Pat Quinn (D). But on May 31, the bill was pulled from the Illinois House of Representatives in the face of opposition from Roman Catholic and African-American church groups.
A Crain/Ipsos poll taken in February shows half of Illinois residents – 50 percent – support gay marriage versus 29 percent who oppose it.
Supporters of gay marriage in Illinois say the US Supreme Court rulings, especially the one approving federal benefits for married gay couples, give their side momentum.
“It’s one thing to be against the marriage bill ideologically,” Randy Hannig, director of public policy at Equality Illinois, told NBC News. “It’s another thing to stand in the way of people receiving benefits.”
But opponents, too, feel they have momentum.
“We’ve pretty much stopped them in their tracks,” says Thomas Peters, communications director of the National Organization for Marriage, which worked with African-American pastors to stop the legislation.
