Don't tread on us: in the 11 states that added marriage discrimination to their constitutions on November 2, gay and lesbian residents are taking stock. Here they share their stories of how the new laws will affect their lives.

1

Randi Rome, 48

Little Rock, Arkansas 

Artist and community organizer

As far as the integrity of my relationship goes, it's not going to affect that. It has been there before this, and it will be there after this. But I do feel like there will be some Arkansans who believe the passage of the amendment gives them the right to be more discriminatory and to perhaps even cause us physical harm. We knew this was going to happen, and we're going to have our day being depressed, but ultimately I think they are going to be as sorry as hell they did this to us in Arkansas.

2

Jill Ford, 26

Atlanta, Georgia

Graduate student

It's ironic that this amendment was passed in the name of increased attention to "values" during the 2004 election season. It is precisely the values of equality, compassion, and respect that have been so systematically dismantled with the passage of [the same-sex marriage ban,] Amendment 1. I hold the president of the United States largely responsible for the fact that this institutionalized oppression has become so widely accepted.

3

Jessica George, 23

Louisville, Kentucky 

Staffer of No on the Amendment

It means that I won't have those protections--as long as I'm in a relationship, that won't be recognized. I haven't had those protections, but now there's no chance of me having them in the future. My family is very supportive; they know me and love me, and they love my partner. She's part of my family, but our relationship won't be recognized in a way that allows us to have rights.

4

Robert Clark, 24

Detroit, Michigan

Car company analyst

There is so much more to be done in Michigan. This was a loss based on lack of information. Not enough people in Michigan understood the consequences of passing that amendment. I don't personally take advantage of domestic-partner benefits, but I'm fearful for the loss of benefits for the families that already have them. We've already seen a conservative group challenge the benefits in the metro Detroit school district. That just shows where it is headed; it leaves it open to further lawsuits or actions.

5

Brenda & Wanda Henson,

59 and 50; Overt, Miss.; Education

specialist and family nurse-practitioner

We had to travel to Massachusetts in May to marry after being committed to one another for 20 years. We did not want to be refugees--leaving our state to find equality--but we did. Heterosexuals must have very fragile relationships if they feel the need to seek legislation to prevent our marriages. "And justice for all" is a joke in the good old USA and even more so in Mississippi.

6

Meagan Moering, 19

Missoula, Montana

Student

Until yesterday, with the passing of same-sex marriage bans in all states that proposed it, I had a great amount of faith in America. Being an out lesbian in the Northwest is difficult enough as is; having these laws against us make it even more discouraging. However, regardless of any president or amendment, the GLBT community is not going away, and I'm sure not going to let this scare me back into the closet.

7

Gina Powers, 34

Fargo, North Dakota 

School PTA president

The passing of this amendment was expected, but it hurts in black and white. Our children have to go to school in this city and state (at least for now). This amendment did nothing to protect them. We believe our family has been used by the president's campaign as an election strategy, and that is infuriating. As Christians, we don't get it.

8

Alan Melamed, 59

Cleveland, Ohio; Campaign manager, Ohioans

Protecting the Constitution

As the campaign manager, there was a sense of losing a battle but not the war. In a very short period of time we were able to mobilize an incredible coalition of Democrats, Republicans, business, and labor against this amendment. We just needed more time and money to communicate to the public how harmful the amendment will be. We've built a strong foundation to work from. The opportunity to manage this campaign has been an incredible privilege and an honor to work with so many dedicated people.

9

Keith Smith, 49

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 

Lobbyist

I am about as depressed as they come. Probably the most devastating result is George Bush because of [the appointments he will make to] the U.S. Supreme Court. Now I don't know if I will see any justice or equality out of the courts in my lifetime. Typically we look to the courts to negate the tyranny of the majority, and now we won't have that option. We plan to challenge the new amendment in the state supreme court, and we hope that we will mirror the challenge in Louisiana.

10

Scott Vogel, 42

Portland, Oregon

Magazine editor

The truth is, it's too early to say how the passage of this measure will mean "x, y, or z for my life in this specific way." The Oregon supreme court is scheduled to Lake up this issue in just a few weeks, and there are other court challenges scheduled. I also think it's appropriate to focus on the positive side in the case of Oregon, since such a high percentage of voters voted against the measure--we're clearly a harbinger of the future here.

11

Gordon Storrs, 58

Salt Lake City, Utah 

College planner

Approval of Amendment 3 makes me alternately want to cry or throw up. I am a lifelong Republican and hate the fact that it is my party in this great state that crafted and mostly approved this amendment by a two-thirds majority, placing discrimination right into the constitution of a state where people really should understand the effects of outright discrimination.