The Alaska State Constitution is the fundamental governing document of the State of Alaska, serving as the supreme law of Alaska, subordinate only to the U.S. Constitution and federal law. It establishes the framework of state government, defines the powers and responsibilities of its legislative, executive, and judicial branches, secures individual rights through a Declaration of Rights, and sets rules for resource management, local government, and public finance.
The Marriage Act of Finland was revised in 2017, after which the Marriage Act became gender-neutral. The Marriage Act ensures equal rights to marry regardless of gender identity, allowing two adults to enter into marriage. The term "spouse" is used in civil ceremonies instead of "husband" and/or "wife.” Additionally, the law allows registered partnerships to be converted into marriages and allows same-sex married couples to adopt children together.
§ 4a-60a requires that all contracts entered into by Connecticut state agencies, municipalities, and quasi-public agencies include an express provision prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation. Contractors, subcontractors, and their agents must agree not to discriminate in hiring, promotion, compensation, or other terms and conditions of employment. In addition to prohibiting discrimination, the statute obligates contractors to take affirmative steps to ensure equal opportunity.
The Constitution of Connecticut protects gender equality primarily through Article First, Section 20, which guarantees equal protection of the laws and prohibits discrimination based on sex, race, religion, ancestry, national origin, and disability.
Chapter 1 of the Constitution of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines guarantees that all individuals in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are entitled to basic rights and freedoms, regardless of race, origin, political opinion, color, creed, or sex. These rights are protected so long as they do not infringe on the rights of others or the public interest, as outlined in the Constitution.
The Constitution of the State of New Jersey, adopted in 1947 and subsequently amended, establishes the structure of state government and guarantees the fundamental rights of its citizens. Its Declaration of Rights affirms that all individuals are free and possess natural and unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and safety.
The Equal Opportunity Act aims to eliminate discrimination, sexual harassment, victimisation to the greatest extent possible, and to promote equality as far as reasonably practicable. It defines and prohibits discrimination in relation to various 'attributes', including sex, sexual orientation, lawful sexual activity, marital status, parental status and gender identity. The prohibitions apply in a range of situations, including employment-related discrimination.
In Goodridge v. Department of Public Health (2003), seven same-sex couples sued the Massachusetts Department of Public Health after being denied marriage licenses, arguing that the exclusion of same-sex couples from civil marriage violated the Massachusetts Constitution.
In the case Hamby v. Parnell (2014), the United States District Court for the District of Alaska struck down Alaska’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, holding that the prohibition violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
In Goodell, the Supreme Court of Wisconsin refused to include women within the construction of the word “person” and denied Lavinia Goodell admission to the bar because she was a woman.
