Even though the election is more than a year away, Arizona business leaders and political activists already are working behind the scenes to shape what promises to be the most contentious issue — a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

Even though the election is more than a year away, Arizona business leaders and political activists already are working behind the scenes to shape what promises to be the most contentious issue — a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

May 17, 2005

Opponents of same-sex marriages will travel across Arizona today to launch a politically risky ballot initiative that goes far beyond declaring a legal union is only between one man and one woman.

Attorney General Terry Goddard is siding with a Christian law firm in arguments that gays should not be able to marry in Arizona in part because they can't have children together.

A new statewide survey suggests that if Arizonans were asked about it today, it's more likely that gay couples would be able to marry here.

More Arizonans support a constitutional ban on same-sex marriages than are against it, according to a new statewide poll. But Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Phoenix, who is leading the opposition to Proposition 102, said Tuesday that the results suit her just fine.

You'd think Arizona legislators claiming the moral high ground in seeking to constitutionalize a ban on same-sex marriages would be more ethical in their approach to including the referendum on the November ballot. But that appears not to be the case with conservatives more interested in pushing their own agenda than in following long-standing Senate rules.

Linking the issues of gay marriage and domestic partner benefits in a single ballot measure is not illegal, a Maricopa County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday.

TOLEDO, Ohio - When the last votes were counted, some members of Pilgrim United Church of Christ hugged and applauded the decision to end their 45-year affiliation with the denomination. Others wiped away tears and walked out in protest.

SAN FRANCISCO - The California Supreme Court on Thursday voided the nearly 4,000 same-sex marriages sanctioned in San Francisco this year and ruled unanimously that the mayor overstepped his authority by issuing licenses to gay and lesbian couples.

Attorney General Terry Goddard is siding with a Christian law firm in arguments that gays should not be able to marry in Arizona in part because they can't have children together.

May 19, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO - Dozens of gay couples were married Monday night after California became the second state to allow same-sex nuptials, offering a preview of the euphoria and anger to come as gay couples from across the nation head west to wed.

Gov. Janet Napolitano disappointed a gay and lesbian activists group Saturday night when she didn’t criticize a proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriages at the group’s largest annual statewide fundraiser in Phoenix.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama, under growing criticism for not seeking to end the ban on openly gay men and women in the military, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

August 31, 2004

DES MOINES, Iowa — Same-sex couples in Iowa began holding hastily planned weddings Monday as the state became the third to allow gay marriage, a leap that even some supporters find hard to grasp in the nation’s heartland.

Opponents of same-sex marriage are rallying conservative supporters with attacks on gay marriage this election season, particularly in two north East Valley legislative districts.

Carrie Sperling and Sue Shapcott moved here from Texas in 2007 knowing that Arizona wouldn’t recognize their same-sex marriage, but at least they would qualify for domestic partner benefits available to state employees because of Sperling’s job with Arizona State University.