Georgia

Relationship Recognition Information

Statewide Relationship Recognition
no Licenses marriages for same-sex couples.
no Honors marriages of same-sex couples from other jurisdictions.
no Relationship recognition for same-sex couples: None.

  • 2004 The state’s Constitution is amended to say “(a) This state shall recognize as marriage only the union of man and woman. Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in This state. (b) No union between persons of the same sex shall be recognized by This state as entitled to the benefits of marriage. This state shall not give effect to any public act, record, or judicial proceeding of any other state or jurisdiction respecting a relationship between persons of the same sex that is treated as a marriage under the laws of such other state or jurisdiction. The courts of This state shall have no jurisdiction to grant a divorce or seperate maintenace with respect to any such relationship or otherwise to consider or rule on any of the parties’ respective rights arising as a result of or in connection with such relationship.”
  • 1996 Georgia prohibits marriage between same-sex couples by statute. See Georgia Annotated Code § 19-3-3.1.

Employment Information

Statewide Employment Protections
no Private employment protections based on sexual orientation.
no Private employment protections based on gender identity.
no Public (state) employment protections based on sexual orientation.
- Public (state) employment protections based on gender identity.

Parenting Information

Statewide Parenting Laws
Who May Adopt Any adult. OCGA § 19-8-3.
Second Parent Adoptions Numerous granted in lower courts.
Notes Results vary by county and by judge.

Cases

Moses v. King
Case arguing to return primary custody of a child to mother after she lost it because she is a lesbian

Saavedra v. Nodak Enterprises
Case representing a skilled glass worker who was fired because his employer claimed his HIV status posed a "direct threat" to others

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