Nevada: Early steps taken to repeal constitutional ban on same-sex marriage

Nevada legislators have begun the long road of repealing the anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment.

From the Las Vegas Sun:

Sen. Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, introduced a Senate Joint Resolution that would repeal the section of Nevada’s constitution that says “only a marriage between a male and female person shall be recognized.”

Here's what has to happen:

1. The state legislature has to approve the measure this year
2. The state legislature would have to approve the measure again in 2015
3. The resolution would have to be put on the ballot in 2016
4. If the state voters repeal the constitutional amendment, then lawmakers would THEN have to work towards a bill that would LEGALIZE marriage equality.

But here's the thing: time is going to go on no matter what.  And, at least, the process has been introduced.  Nevada does have domestic partnerships to help offer some legal protections for LGBT couples, which is at least something.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is already marketing specifically to gay and lesbian couples. Adding weddings to the mix could be an economic boon for Nevada.

“We’re already a huge destination for weddings anyway,” Shinn said. “If we could expand to the LGBT community, we would benefit.”

A recent poll by the Retail Association of Nevada last month shows support for same-sex marriage and repeal of the “Protection of Marriage” clause in the state constitution.  The poll shows that 54 percent of Nevadans favor repeal while 43 percent oppose.

(source)