Prop 3 is one of early statewide races called with overwhelming support

Palm Springs, CA

In a landmark moment for the LGBTQ+ community, voters in California overwhelmingly passed Proposition 3 this past election, making history by removing discriminatory language from the state constitution and enshrining the freedom to marry, regardless of gender or race. This historic victory not only strengthens the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in California but also signals a broader national commitment to equality in marriage.

Proposition 3, which passed with broad support across the state, reflects a decisive shift in public opinion and a growing understanding of the importance of inclusivity in the fight for civil rights. The ballot measure removes any constitutional provisions that had previously prohibited marriage equality, ensuring that all couples, regardless of gender or race, can marry freely in the state.

Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California, hailed the passage of Proposition 3 as a monumental step forward. “This victory shows that Californians across the state stand united in the belief that everyone deserves to love and be loved,” he said. “This results from the strength and resilience of hundreds of community leaders, elected officials, and organizations who joined forces to champion LGBTQ+ rights. California continues to lead at the forefront of the fight for equality, reaffirming our commitment to protect and uplift the fundamental rights of every LGBTQ+ person.”

The campaign for Proposition 3 gained widespread backing from a broad coalition of community groups, elected officials, and organizations. More than 40 organizations came together to form a diverse Steering Committee, which played a crucial role in shaping the messaging and outreach efforts. The coalition’s work was especially focused on engaging marginalized communities and ensuring that culturally relevant messaging reached every corner of the state.

Throughout the campaign, Proposition 3 was endorsed by major news outlets, political figures, and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups across the ideological spectrum, underscoring the broad consensus around marriage equality in California. Notably, the campaign took an inclusive approach by placing ads in multiple languages and targeting media outlets serving Black, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), and Latinx communities—groups historically left out of discussions about marriage equality. This effort was critical in reaching diverse populations and ensuring that the message of equality resonated with people from all walks of life.

The campaign was led by a powerful Executive Committee, which included Equality California, the Human Rights Campaign, the TransLatin@ Coalition, the ACLU of Northern California, and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California. The team also relied on expert consultants, including Courtni Pugh of Hilltop Public Solutions and Nathan Click of Click Strategies, to coordinate messaging and digital outreach.

California was not alone in advancing marriage equality this election cycle. Voters in Colorado and Hawaii also approved constitutional amendments to remove discriminatory language banning marriage equality in their states. In Colorado, Measure J passed with over 63% of the vote, removing the phrase “Only a union of one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state” from the state constitution. Similarly, in Hawaii, over 52% of voters approved Question #1, which repealed the legislature’s authority to restrict marriage to opposite-sex couples.

Together, these victories across the three states mark a significant step toward ensuring that marriage equality is a right protected by state constitutions, not just a matter of legal recognition. While national threats to LGBTQ+ rights continue to potentially loom, these victories demonstrate the power of grassroots organizing, coalition-building, and the enduring belief in the fundamental right of every person to love whom they choose.