Text of AZ SCR 1012 (2014)

REFERENCE TITLE: same-sex couples; marriage State of Arizona Senate Fifty-first Legislature Second Regular Session 2014 SCR 1012 Introduced by Senators Hobbs, Dalessandro, Farley, Gallardo, Meza, Pancrazi, Tovar; Representatives Alston, Campbell, Cardenas, Gabaldón, Gallego, Gonzales, Mendez, Miranda, Peshlakai, Quezada, Sherwood, Steele: Senator Ableser; Representatives Contreras, Escamilla, Hernández, Larkin, Mach, McCune Davis, Meyer, Otondo, Saldate, Wheeler A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting the recognition of marriages between individuals of the same sex. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) Whereas, the Legislature acknowledges the recent decision of the United States Supreme Court in United States v. Windsor, 133 S.Ct. 2675 (2013), which held that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act, Public Law 104-199, unlawfully discriminated against married same-sex couples by prohibiting the federal government from recognizing those marriages and by denying federal rights, benefits, protections and responsibilities to those couples; and Whereas, the freedom to marry is a fundamental human right and a protected liberty under the United States Constitution; and Whereas, marriage is a legal institution recognized by this state to promote stable family relationships and to establish the rights and responsibilities of couples, their children and other dependent family members; and Whereas, the marriage laws of this state currently discriminate against same-sex couples, denying them and their families the legal status, equal dignity and social inclusion of marriage; and Whereas, the state has an interest in encouraging stable family relationships regardless of the sex and sexual orientation of the people in those relationships, and the entire community benefits when couples undertake the mutual obligations of marriage; and Whereas, despite long-standing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents of this state, many have formed lasting, committed and caring relationships with a person of the same sex. These couples share lives together, participate in their communities together and often raise children and care for dependent family members together; and Whereas, this state's continued exclusion of same‑sex couples from marriage serves no legitimate purpose and is contrary to the public interest; and Whereas, equal protection of the laws requires that same-sex couples be permitted to marry on the same terms as different-sex couples. Therefore Be it resolved by the Senate of the State of Arizona, the House of Representatives concurring: 1. That the Members of the Legislature support the freedom to marry as a fundamental human right and a protected liberty under the United States Constitution. 2. That the Members of the Legislature support recognizing marriages between individuals of the same sex in the State of Arizona.