Declares that civil marriage is a legal institution recognized by the state in order to promote stable relationships and to protect individuals who are in those relationships. Civil marriage is based on a civil contract between two persons and does not require the sanction or involvement of religious institutions. Civil marriage provides important protections for the families of those who are married, including not only children and other dependents they may have, but also members of their extended families.

Finds that strong, healthy families promote social stability and economic growth, and that these families are supported and protected by the mutual obligations and benefits conferred by civil marriage licenses. On these bases, the state therefore has a strong interest in ending discrimination against otherwise qualified applicants for a civil marriage license, including discrimination on the basis of sex or sexual orientation of the applicants.