Respect for Marriage Arizona
Respect for Marriage Arizona is a statewide public education and engagement initiative to ensure that all legally recognized marriages are treated with dignity and fairness in Arizona, while safeguarding religious freedom. Our project supports LGBTQ+ Arizonans of all ages—as well as their families, friends, and allies—by increasing understanding of why marriage protections matter and by building a strong, values‑based coalition in every region of the state.
Respect for Marriage Arizona is needed because the legal foundation for marriage equality in the United States is more vulnerable today than at any point since the Obergefell v. Hodges decision in 2015. Across the country, opponents of marriage equality have introduced several active bills aimed at undermining or outright repealing Obergefell’s protections. These efforts signal a coordinated strategy to challenge the Supreme Court’s precedent and open the door for federal reconsideration of the ruling.
If Obergefell is overturned, the right for same-sex couples to marry would no longer be guaranteed nationwide. Instead, individual states would decide whether to allow marriage equality. In states where marriage rights were never enacted by legislative action or voter initiative, bans written into state constitutions or statutes would automatically go back into effect. Arizona is one of these states — our constitution still contains language defining marriage exclusively as between one man and one woman, passed by voters in 2008.
Without proactive action, same-sex couples in Arizona would lose their ability to marry here if the Supreme Court reverses Obergefell. That loss would ripple beyond the ceremony itself: it would deny legal protections involving healthcare decisions, parental rights, tax benefits, inheritance, and survivor benefits — safeguards that opposite-sex married couples automatically receive.
Respect for Marriage Arizona proposes to close this gap by ensuring marriage equality is protected at the state level regardless of future federal court decisions. By passing marriage equality through the ballot, Arizonans can remove the discriminatory constitutional language, affirm the dignity and rights of all couples, and secure these protections permanently in state law. Taking this step is not just an act of fairness — it is a safeguard against an uncertain judicial future, ensuring that Arizona families remain protected no matter what happens in Washington.
This initiative mirrors bipartisan national legislation while protecting religious freedom here at home. No church or clergy member will ever be required to perform or recognize a marriage that conflicts with their beliefs. Respect for Marriage Arizona is about preserving both family and faith—recognizing our differences while focusing on what unites us: strong, stable communities built on personal responsibility and lasting commitments.
Arizona can lead with a law that affirms liberty, protects families, and strengthens our state’s foundation of freedom and responsibility.
Join a broad coalition of Arizonans in support of Respect for Marriage Arizona. By signing on, you add your name to a statewide movement that values both freedom and responsibility in family life.