Nevada has been leading the way in the nation on LGBTQ protections for decades. Thanks in huge part to trailblazing legislators like Sen. David Parks, bold leadership from Nevada Governors Sandoval and Sisolak, and broad pro-equality coalitions that have formed and expanded all throughout Nevada, our battle born state has tackled some of our most pressing issues and identified a “Nevada Way” to make our laws more just and equitable for our LGBTQ community.

As reported by USA Today, Nevada ranks as the best state in America for LGBTQ people — and that’s in big part to progressive policy advancements made time and time again, regardless of party affiliation.

In 2017, when I first introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 2, the resolution that would become Question 2 on the 2020 Nevada ballot, the desire from Nevadans to stand on the right side of history was palpable.

I was proud to see bipartisan support during both the 2017 and 2019 Nevada legislative sessions. Legislators from both sides of the aisle welcomed the conversation and voted to support a measure to let Nevadans decide how our Constitution recognizes love.

Currently, Section 21 of Article 1 of the Nevada Constitution defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. However, this section was rendered unenforceable by the 2015 Supreme Court case, Obergefell v. Hodges. This ballot question aims to make the law of Nevada reflect the law of the land, and protect the rights of the thousands of same-gender couples that have already been married in our state.

Question 2 proposes to remove the following phrase: “Only a marriage between a male and a female person shall be recognized and given effect in this state,” and instead enshrine the principles of marriage equality in our Constitution.

Folks often ask “why” this measure is necessary. The answer is simple, it's the right thing to do.

Same-gender couples in Nevada pay taxes, serve in the military and run small businesses. They work hard and pay into the same system as everyone else, and they should have the same freedom to marry that other couples have.

Our Constitution deserves to reflect the will of the people, and Nevadans have - time and time again - rejected hate and welcomed love. Nevadans agree that our state should always protect fundamental civil rights for all people and fight discrimination wherever it exist, and this amendment helps ensure that.

It’s time for Nevada’s Constitution to recognize all marriages, regardless of gender. We, as a state, must do all we can to protect love.

I urge Nevada voters to support Question 2, which proposes to amend the Nevada Constitution to recognize all marriages, regardless of gender.

Let’s vote for Equality.

Let’s vote for Love.

Nelson Araujo is the state director for Sen. Jacky Rosen. He was a Democratic member of the Assembly representing District 3 beginning in 2015. He ran for election for Nevada secretary of state in 2018 and lost to Republican Barbara Cegavske.