Assemblyman Nelson Araujo of Las Vegas is filing a resolution for a constitutional amendment to safeguard same-sex marriage’s legality in the Nevada Constitution.

The gay Democrat made the announcement on the steps of the Nevada Supreme Court building. With him were several Democratic leaders who took part in a news conference criticizing President Donald Trump’s nomination of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court.

“By adding this amendment to Nevada’s Constitution, we will be able to protect marriage equality from whatever actions may come from Trump’s hateful and divisive presidency,” said Araujo.

Support Our Advertisers

Despite same-sex marriage having been legalized nationwide in 2015, Araujo and the other Democrats present expressed concern that Gorsuch might rule to overturn the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision. For his part, Araujo said he wanted to make sure the state’s same-sex couples were protected, this according to the Reno Gazette-Journal. 

The first same-sex couple to marry in Washoe County, Karen Vibe and Karen Goody, also attended the press conference. 

“This title has meaning that everyone understands,” said Vibe. “It is the level of love and commitment that we have for each other.”

The amendment would need to pass in two sessions of the Legislature, as well as require a referendum vote to become law. This would be a five-year process.