Notes: Post-DOMA Rulings – Same-Sex Marriage Campaigns
Post-DOMA Rulings: Key Points for Review
Immediate actions after Supreme Court rulings:
- Activists and allies mobilize quickly (e.g., training nearly 40 members in NJ to persuade 3 local Republican lawmakers to back same-sex marriage). 40 members; 3 lawmakers.
- Conservative groups organize fundraising to oppose momentum in multiple states (NJ, IA, OR).
- Overall aim: legalize same-sex marriage in about 12 key states within 3 years.
- Momentum assessment: activists claim progress with a path to national majority; opponents argue the map still looks challenging (e.g., 29 states define marriage as between a man and a woman).
Strategic goals and timeline:
- Activists’ objective: reach majority of Americans in a freedom-to-marry state by 2016 and achieve public support of 60\% by 2016.
- The battles will influence state and national elections as Republicans and Democrats mobilize key voters and officials.
Major battleground states and near-term targets:
- Top near-term targets: Hawaii, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon.
- Opponents aim to gain ground in Indiana and Iowa.
- Oregon: campaign to collect 116,284 signatures for a 2014 ballot initiative to overturn a constitutional amendment and allow marriage equality. 116{,}284 signatures.
- New Mexico: lower-level court case on same-sex marriage likely to reach the state Supreme Court.
- Hawaii: legislators encouraged to replace civil unions with a same-sex marriage statute.
- New Jersey: civil unions created in 2006; Legislature approved a same-sex marriage bill but Gov. Christie vetoed it; potential override discussions; Lamda Legal preparing a motion related to state civil unions.
- Illinois: civil unions legalized in 2011; intense advocacy on both sides; Illinois Unites for Marriage forming coalitions with diverse groups to mount a state campaign.
Key people and organizations (significant players):
- Evan Wolfson (Freedom to Marry): outlines plans to reach majority and build momentum toward nationwide marriage equality.
- Udi Ofer (ACLU-New Jersey): leading state-level organizing and amicus filing discussions.
- Ralph Reed (Faith & Freedom Coalition): argues that momentum is not as inevitable as some claim and stresses existing state bans.
- Tina Fetner (sociology professor): notes the conservative movement’s historic gains and that activists are not winning everything yet.
- Barbara Buono (Democratic challenger in NJ) and Chris Christie (NJ Governor): Governor’s veto and potential reelection impact; political calculations in state.
- Anthony Romero (ACLU): highlights the centrality of Republican leadership to full marriage equality.
- Tim Huelskamp (R-Kan.) and the push for a federal constitutional amendment: slim chances but indicative of the broader strategy.
- National Organization for Marriage (NOM), Urban League, Service Employees International Union (SEIU): coalition-building and mobilization efforts in Illinois and beyond.
Tactics and strategies across the states:
- Mobilizing pastors and faith groups as a key channel for public persuasion and political pressure at the state level.
- Legislative avenues (passing bills), court actions (state supreme courts or higher courts), and ballot initiatives as parallel tracks.
- Cross-issue coalitions combining conservative and liberal groups where interests align on campaign infrastructure and messaging.
Implications for elections and policy:
- The outcome of these state battles will influence near-term elections and party strategies.
- The landscape remains contested, with substantial organizational and financial commitments from both sides.
Quick reference numbers
- Near-term battlegrounds: 6 states listed as top targets.\n- States with explicit bans or definitions: 29\% of states define marriage as between a man and a woman.\n- Signature drive milestone: 116{,}284 signatures for a 2014 Oregon ballot measure.\n- Temporal goals: 2016 milestone for national majority; 60\% public support target by 2016.