Lawmakers have found a way they believe will ensure that same-sex couples won’t be able to be married or have their marriages recognized in Alabama – and it’s already halfway there.
Perhaps it makes sense the flag of Alabama (above) is a great big red “X.”
Late Monday afternoon the Alabama Senate passed a bill that would abolish the issuance of marriage licenses altogether from the state. Instead of issuing marriage licenses, couples would have to file a contract with the state that says they are legally authorized to be married.
The catch? Alabama law does not allow same-sex couples to be married, but as attorney Jake Watson tells WHNT News, this new approach might be legal since Alabama could argue it merely is regulating the types of contracts it recognizes and authorizes. Watson says this could end up at the Supreme Court, even if the justices later this month rule in favor of same-sex marriage.
Alabama Senators seem only too happy to get out of the marriage business to “save” marriage – for different-sex couples.
They passed SB-377 yesterday by a vote of 22-3.
It now heads to the Alabama House, where it likely will pass.Â
The move is being applauded by several among the far right, conservative, and “libertarian” wings of the Republican party nationwide.Â