No. The state Republican Party platform for Montana calls for limiting marriage to heterosexuals only.
No. A marriage equality bill has never been introduced in the Montana legislature.
No, Montana does not recognize common law marriage.
Mayor Hanel opposes civil rights for gays and lesbians, including marriage equality. In August 2014, he cast the deciding vote that defeated a gay rights measure in Billings.
As of May 2014, there hasn't been a ruling on the constitutionality of Montana's ban on same-sex marriage.
Yes, effective November 19, 2014. Tribal law specifies that Montana state law controls marriage and same-sex marriage has been legal in Montana since that date.
Montana is typically considered to be a Republican state. The last Democrat to carry the state in a presidential election was Bill Clinton in 1992. That being said, Montana currently has a Democratic governor and two Democratic senators.
Common law marriage in Montana is a legal recognition of a relationship where a couple lives together and presents themselves as married without a formal ceremony. In Montana, common law marriage requires mutual consent, cohabitation, and a public declaration of the relationship. Unlike traditional marriage, common law marriage does not require a marriage license or ceremony to be legally recognized.
As of November 19, 2014, there are no remaining obstacles to the legalization of same-sex marriage in Montana.
Yes, common law marriage is recognized in Montana if certain criteria are met, such as cohabitation and holding themselves out as married.
They did not have children
Same-sex marriage was explicitly banned by the state constitution of Montana between November 2, 2004 and November 19, 2014.