Rainbow bLAWg

Oklahoma State Rep. Mike Turner (R-Edmond) almost gets it. Equality in the eyes of the law is what Americans expect from our government. However, in response to a federal court ruling that Oklahoma’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional discrimination, he wants to skirt the equal protection argument by banning all marriages in the state!

He told a local TV station that the idea has the backing of other conservative lawmakers, and could be achieved through a shell bill he filed in the state legislature. “[My constituents are] willing to have that discussion about whether marriage needs to be regulated by the state at all,” Turner said.

Turner admits his idea makes a lot of people uncomfortable. He also says, “I accept that.” Turner plans to wait until the federal appeals process plays out. The fight over Oklahoma’s ban on same-sex marriage will now head to the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver.

Oklahoma tried and failed at a similar tactic in November to avoid granting military benefits to same-sex spouses, by stopping spousal benefits for all married couples at state National Guard facilities.

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Carrie Stone