Arkansas Republican Introduces Bill to Ban Same-Sex Marriage
‘A Marriage Between Persons of the Same Sex Is Void’
Republican Representative Stephen Meeks has introduced a bill to ban same-sex marriage in the state of Arkansas. The bill, which already has 19 co-sponsors and support of at least on state senator, will also prohibit the state from recognizing the legal marriages of same-sex couples from out of state.
“Marriage shall be only between a man and a woman. A marriage between persons of the same sex is void,†HB 2098 reads. “It is the public policy of the State of Arkansas to recognize the marital union only of man and woman.”
If all that weren’t clear enough, the bill also states:Â “Marriages between persons of the same sex are prohibited in this state.”
The bill even cites the historic Obergefell v. Hodges Supreme Court case that found same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage.
In 2015 Meeks commented when the Supreme Court ruled on marriage:
Sad day for America regardless of where you stand on the issue. It’s a state issue and #SCOTUS should have left it with the states. #arleg
— Rep. Stephen Meeks (@RepStephenMeeks) June 26, 2015
As Joe.My.God. points out, just days ago Meeks had a different opinion about the role of government in people’s lives:
“The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to [1/2]
— Rep. Stephen Meeks (@RepStephenMeeks) March 1, 2017
restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.”
— Patrick Henry [2/2]— Rep. Stephen Meeks (@RepStephenMeeks) March 1, 2017
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