Opinion: Why Marriage is on the Ballot in Colorado this November
“It would misunderstand these men and women to say they disrespect the idea of marriage. Their plea is that they do respect it, respect it so deeply that they seek to find its fulfillment for themselves. Their hope is not to be condemned to live in loneliness, excluded from one of civilization’s oldest institutions. They ask for equal dignity in the eyes of the law. The Constitution grants them that right.”
This excerpt from Justice Anthony Kennedy’s majority opinion in Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that made marriage equality the law of the land in 2015 was read at my wedding ceremony just a month ago. My wife and I are a same-gender, interracial couple. In holding these identities, we understand that in any decade preceding this one, our union would not be recognized in the state of Colorado.
It’s a demonstration of the fragility of equality and a painful reminder that our rights are determined by those who hold power. Because the State Constitution still defines marriage as only valid between one man and one woman, our rights as a married couple rely on the U.S. Supreme Court decision from Obergefell v. Hodges remaining in place at the federal level. Earlier this year, when the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson decision uprooted the rights of pregnant people to make their own healthcare decisions, it shook the foundation on which other rights, such as the right to contraception, the right to privacy, and the right to marriage, were built.
In 2020, I watched as state lawmakers introduced HB20-1272, the “Colorado Natural Marriage and Adoption Act,” a bill that, if passed, would have prevented clerks from issuing marriage licenses to same-gender couples and banned same-gender couples from adopting children. Although the bill was defeated that year, the support it gained from members of our state legislature makes it abundantly clear that the marriage equality fight is not over.
The 2022 midterms are a pivotal moment for the balance of power in our state and will contribute to the makeup of Congress at the federal level. When Colorado gained a congressional seat after the most recent Census, the redistricting process resulted in most districts becoming more competitive than ever before. There will be many close races across Colorado this year, and some will be determined by just a few votes.
I’m urging every Coloradan who believes in equality to use the power of their vote in this election. Through advocacy and mobilization, we can ensure that marriages like mine aren’t jeopardized, no matter the makeup of the U.S. Supreme Court. When pro-equality candidates are voted into office, and when their constituents continue to hold them accountable, these elected officials can take steps to solidify our rights and allow us to thrive. Those who value equality far outnumber those who seek to oppress, but we can only win if we use the power of our vote.
The Colorado General Assembly, State Board of Education, and local elected officials have a larger impact on our day-to-day lives than most people realize. It’s so important to stay informed about the views of local candidates all the way down your ballot. Your community is relying on you to show up and vote on or before November 8. I know what’s at stake this election, and I encourage everyone to use their voice this November.
Photos courtesy of One Colorado and Emilee Elofson
