Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 gives a legal definition of marriage as an institution involving one man and one woman. This amendment make Missouri gay marriage illegal and precludes the recognition of same sex marriage that took place in another state. However, as of 2013 same sex couples from other jurisdictions are able to file join state income taxes in Missouri.
Missouri Constitutional Amendment 2 passed in August 2004 after a public vote. Seventy-one percent of state voters were in favor of the Amendment. Every county in the state voted in favor of the amendment except for the city of St. Louis. Missouri was the first state to pass legislation banning homosexual marriage after the landmark Massachusetts Supreme Court decision that legalized gay marriage.
Two of the primary groups lobbying for Missouri gay marriage and other forms of LGBT equality are PROMO and Freedom to Marry. PROMO is a group exclusive to Missouri, while Freedom to Marry works in a number of states that ban gay marriage.
Some districts in Missouri recognize domestic partners who are legally registered within the jurisdiction. These registries provide a number of benefits and protections under the law, but they are only applicable within the borders of the city of county. Both same-sex and opposite-sex domestic partnerships are recognized under these registries, and partnerships can be registered without a formal wedding. Some of the benefits given to domestic partners include insurance coverage and end-of-life care.
Public opinion on the issue of gay marriage has changed significantly since the passing of Amendment 2. A recent public opinion poll found that 62 percent of people in the state support legal recognition of same-sex couples. Only 32 percent support the legalization of same-sex marriage, but that is still a significant increase from 2004.
Until Missouri gay marriage is legalized, same sex couples in the state will continue to have limited access to benefits and protections under the law.
