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Recognition of Relationships
Currently, the Commonwealth of Kentucky will not recognize any type of same-sex union. Marriage, domestic partnerships, and civil unions are all illegal in Kentucky (even if performed in other countries or states).
In 2004, voters in the
Commonwealth approved Constitutional Amendment
233A which reads as follows:
- Kentucky Constitution, Section 233A: Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in Kentucky. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized.
- Kentucky Revised Statutes Section 402.005: Definition of marriage. As used and recognized in the law of the Commonwealth, "marriage" refers only to the civil status, condition, or relation of one (1) man and one (1) woman united in law for life, for the discharge to each other and the community of the duties legally incumbent upon those whose association is founded on the distinction of sex.
OUR
POSITION: Marriage is an
interpersonal relationship with governmental,
social, or religious recognition, usually
intimate and sexual, and often created as a
contract.
The reasons people marry
vary widely, but usually include one or more of
the following: legal, social and economic
stability; the formation of a family unit;
procreation and the education and nurturing of
children; legitimizing sexual relations; public
declaration of love.
ADDITIONAL READING: