Nevada Votes To Lift 18-Year Ban On Same Sex Marriages

While Nevada may be taking a while to reveal its presidential results, one victory that was announced was the decision to overturn the state’s 18-year ban on same-sex marriage. This decision makes Nevada the first state to recognize gay marriage in its constitution. 

The right to same-sex marriage was Question 2 on the ballot. This was one of four new amendments to the state constitution that citizens could vote on during this election. The amendment’s passage guaranteed same-sex marriage legalization even if the U.S. Supreme Court decides to overturns its 2015 decision that made gay marriage legal throughout the country. 

LGBTQ activists praised the state’s decision to overturn the ban.

“This overwhelming majority should be a reminder that LGBTQ equality is not just the right thing to do, it is exactly what Nevadans want,” said Briana Escamilla, director of Human Rights Campaign’s Nevada.

Question 2 passed with 62 percent of voters in favor of same-sex marriage and 38 percent against it, according to the Nevada secretary of state.

“It feels good that we let the voters decide,” Equality Nevada President Chris Davin said. “The people said this, not judges or lawmakers. This was direct democracy — it’s how everything should be.”

André Wade, Head of Silver State Equality, which heavily promoted Question 2, said that the decision was one that demonstrated how progressive the state of Nevada is.

“It’s the fix we need to make here. We have discriminatory language in the constitution, and we need to take it out. We know Nevadans value equality, and we want our constitution to mirror that.”

A report published in June by 24/7WallSt.com declared Nevada as the best state for LGBTQ people. Now they have the laws to back it up.