In Your State: Georgia

• 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 separate maintenance 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.

Passing state and federal level laws explicitly prohibiting discrimination on the basis of gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation is the only way to ensure equality. However, you should be aware that some measure of protection already exists under Title VII and the Constitution's guarantee of Equal Protection. If you or your counsel has questions, please contact Lambda Legal's Help Desk.