Marriage Freedom Bill Passes Oklahoma House

State moves to end licensing marriages, but institute Certificates.

   The new marriage CERTIFICATE does not require any clergy, or even witnesses. The partners simply file their marriage at the County Clerk's office and sign the affidavit. But for those who wish to add a judicial or clergy confirmation, can take the form to their ceremony and bring it back with the official's signature.

  The big news is that it's no longer a license . Because the state has no authority to grant permission for marriage, any more than other contractual partnerships.

  This also resumes the "common-law" rights that the Oklahoma legislature wrongfully banned 8 years ago.

 KSWO-Lawton posted an AP story:

  House members voted 67-24 for the measure Tuesday and sent it to the Senate for consideration.

  The measure by Republican Rep. Todd Russ of Cordell would replace a state-issued marriage license with a clergy-issued marriage certificate.

  Russ says it gets government out of the business of licensing marriage. Opponents say it is a reaction by lawmakers who disagree with a federal judge's decision to overturn the state's ban on same-sex marriage.

  Russ says the state neither allows nor disallows same-sex marriage under the bill. But opponents, including Democratic Rep. Emily Virgin of Norman, say state government needs to be involved in the process. read more...

Analysis

  Conservatives find it odd that the same gay rights activists who once said; "The government has no business deciding who gets married to whom.", are now saying the government has a duty to play a key role in granting marriage privileges. 

   As recently as a year ago, only Libertarian groups were vocally calling for an end to state licenses. Many "Liberty Republicans" are claiming vindication by the massive support of Republican legislators who are currently being pressured to respond to federal court orders. 

   Perhaps the message of less government entanglement will grow as a viable option to the problems created by government entanglement in education, libraries, and other social programs.
Follow the bill's progress, here.

David Van Risseghem