California and Colorado voted to repeal amendments that defined marriage as between a man and a woman, while Hawaii is on track to repeal its traditional definition of marriage, although it has not yet been called.

The state constitutions of California, Colorado and Hawaii. defined marriage as a union between a man and a woman, but the results of these measures in the 2024 elections will eliminate this traditional definition.

The removal of the long-standing text on marriage is largely due symbolic since the United States Supreme Court already legalized same-sex marriage in all United States jurisdictions in its decision Obergefell v. Hodges 2015. However, in 2020, Nevada became the first state to repeal its constitutional provision defining marriage as between a man and a woman. California, Colorado and Hawaii joined the ranks this year, eliminating the definition.

Colorado

In a vote of about 63% to 36%, Colorado removed language from its constitution that recognized marriage as “only the union of one man and one woman.”

The bishops of Colorado made a statement oppose the “Protecting the freedom to marry” or Amendment J earlier this year, saying it was “imperative” that faithful Catholics oppose the amendment, as well as a pro-abortion amendment that would enshrine abortion as a right in the state constitution.

The leading proponent of Amendment J, Freedom to Marry in Colorado, raised more than $760,000 and spent less than $600,000. State Rep. Scott Bottoms and Colorado bishops expressed opposition to the measure, but there was no organized campaign opposing the measure, according to Ballopedia.

California

Californians overwhelmingly supported removing the state’s traditional definition of marriage from the constitution by a vote of 61% to 38%. The amendment not only eliminated the definition of marriage, like Colorado’s, but also added the “right to marry” as a “right to marry.”fundamental right”in the state constitution.

The Catholic bishops of California did not comment on the measure, although groups such as the California Family Council expressed opposition, citing concerns that it could eliminate safeguards and lead to the legalization of other irregular forms of marriage. California Governor Gavin Newsom, California Planned Parenthood affiliates and the American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California expressed support for the measure.

Like Colorado, there were no reported campaigns. against the measure. Campaigns supporting the measure totaled more than $3.4 million in funding.

Hawaii

While Hawaii has yet to announce the results of its marriage amendment, the state is on track to repeal the Legislature’s power to limit marriage to one man and one woman. Although it is the closest of the three states, Amendment 1 is still more than 10 points ahead, according to the New York Times.

Of the 76% of votes counted in Hawaii, about 56% voted in favor of Amendment 1, while about 43% voted against it. In Hawaii, blank votes are considered invalid votes. The amendment needs 51% to pass.

Like Colorado and California, there were no campaigns reported against. Supporters had $79,000 in funding.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaii, the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission and the Hawaii Democratic Party, among others, expressed support for the measure. Hawaii’s Catholic bishops did not comment on the measure.

Same-sex marriage in the US

According to 2023 Pew research survey63% of Americans believe same-sex marriage should be legal, while 34% are against it. Support for same-sex marriage increase steadily in the US from 2004 to 2017, although it has remained stable since then, according to Pew.

Ballot measures in California and Colorado mirror this poll, with similar numbers of their voters.

In point No. 46 of its 2023 document “Forming consciences for faithful citizenship: a call for political responsibility of the Catholic bishops of the United States”, the American bishops affirm that “the family, based on marriage between a man and a woman, is the first and fundamental unit of society and is a sanctuary for the creation and rearing of children. It must be defended and strengthened, not redefined, undermined or further distorted. “Respect for the family must be reflected in all policies and programs.”

Furthermore, the Catholic Church teaches that “homosexual persons are called to chastity” and that homosexual acts are contrary to natural law and exclude the sexual act from the gift of life, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church (Us. 2359, 2357). The catechism also condemns any “unjust discrimination” towards people with homosexual inclinations.