Alabama Eliminate Marriage Licenses Over Same-Sex Marriage

MONTGOMERY, AL — (05-25-19) — Alabama House of Representatives voted today to eliminate marriage licenses over same-sex marriage. After their hair raising move last week declaring abortion illegal in all circumstances,  GOP lawmakers are now gunning for eliminating same-sex marriage.

Lawmakers say that since gay marriages are to be treated equal under Federal law, Alabama will now make weddings meaningless.

Alabama lawmakers decided that Sections 22-9A-17, 30-1-5, 30-1-12, and 30-1-16 of the Code of Alabama, should be amended to abolish any requirement that couples getting married obtain marriage licenses.

With the passage of the new amendment, Alabama residents who wish to get marry can simply fill out several forms, file them in the probate office, and leave as spouse and spouse.

Alabama Lawmakers Vote to ban Marriage Licenses over Same-Sex Marriage

The bill passed in the Alabama legislature by a vote of 67 to 26, and was sponsored by Alabama State Sen. Greg Albritton (R).

However the Alabama wedding industry and advocates for LGBT rights are voicing concerns. While the law as amended would in a technical sense, treat all Alabama residents equally, opponents of the bill say that the bill was done to appease opponents of same-sex marriage.

“I feel like it was born out of prejudice,” said Alabama State Rep. Neil Rafferty (D), who voted against the bill. Rafferty is the only openly gay member of the Alabama House.

Alabama State Rep. Wes Allen (R), a former probate judge, who made nationwide headlines when he stopped issuing marriage licenses in 2015 when the Supreme Court ruled that states must allow same-sex marriage, said the following, “I believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” said Allen.

Rep. Web Allen reminded the press that back in 2006, roughly 80 percent of Alabama voters approved a constitutional amendment restricting marriage to opposite-sex couples. Allen likened the signing of a marriage license to signing a check – saying, “you’re endorsing it.”

Once again we see that Alabama reverting to their dark age ideology and their craving for going back to the days of horse and buggies. What will be next from Alabama lawmakers? Passing legislation justifying a return to slavery.

I will continue to follow this story and bring you updates as they become available.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer