The Freedom to Marry in Georgia

Winning Marriage: June 26, 2015

The United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the freedom to marry nationwide on June 26, 2015, allowing all same-sex couples in Georgia the ability to marry once and for all. The decision followed more than a year of marriage litigation in the state.

History and the Path to Victory:

  • November 2, 2004: Opponents of the freedom to marry in Georgia push through Constitutional Amendment 1, which denies same-sex couples the freedom to marry. The amendment cements clearly discriminatory language into the Georgia Constitution.
  • 2004-2014: As Americans nationwide engage in conversations about why marriage matters, national and local advocates in Georgia take strides toward increasing understanding of same-sex couples and their families.
  • May 17, 2006: A Superior Court judge in Georgia strikes down the 2004 constitutional amendment in a legal case filed by Lambda Legal and the ACLU of Georgia, finding that the amendment violated procedural rules in the state.
  • July 7, 2006: The Georgia Supreme Court reverses the lower court ruling, declaring that the 2004 constitutional amendment is valid.
  • August 2013: Polling in Georgia tracks a marked growth in support for the freedom to marry, reflecting the power of the national discussion of why marriage matters.
  • April 22, 2014: Same-sex couples and Lambda Legal file a federal legal case seeking the freedom to marry in Georgia, Inniss v. Aderhold. Proceedings in the case are later suspended pending the United States Supreme Court’s ruling on the freedom to marry. Read the initial complaint – and meet the plaintiffs. 
  • June 26, 2015: The United States Supreme Court rules in favor of the freedom to marry, ending marriage discrimination across the country.

Groups That Actively Worked on Marriage

  • Georgia Equality is the political advocacy voice of Georgia's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender citizens and their allies.
  • MEGA Family Project is a nonpartisan, statewide organization dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy work on behalf of LGBT families.
  • Lambda Legal is a national organization committed to achieving full recognition of the civil rights of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender people, and those with HIV through impact litigation, education and public policy work. Lambda Legal served as co-counsel on Inniss v. Aderhold.
  • Freedom to Marry was the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples nationwide.

 

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