July 1, 2009
Louisiana Couple Files Federal Suit for Marriage License
IMNSHO, they probably would have done better to wait for the outcome of the Olson-Boies suit (to rely on precedent, assuming O-B wins) — but on the other hand, the now-fast-tracked Olson-Boies will probably be resolved by the time their case is heard:
New Orleans same-sex couple
sues for marriage licenseTwo New Orleans men want a federal judge to rule that they have a fundamental right to a marriage license under the U.S. Constitution and international law despite Louisiana’s prohibition of same-sex marriages.
Kristoffer Bonilla and John Thomas Wray argue in a lawsuit that the state has “permanently deprived them of the ability to sanctify their committed relationship and to exercise all of the rights and benefits attendant to marriage.”
The couple was turned away by officials at the Orleans Parish marriage license office on April 2 solely because both were men, the lawsuit says. …
The lawsuit is “ridiculous,” according to [state Sen. A.G. Crowe, R-Slidell] who co-wrote the constitutional amendment barring same-sex marriage, overwhelmingly approved by voters in 2004. …
Bonilla said he drafted the lawsuit before he and Wray applied for the license, to be prepared to seek redress in the courts if the their application was rejected.
“The arguments against gay marriage are pretty silly, ” Bonilla said. “As history progresses, you can’t make silly arguments anymore.”
Crowe said gay marriage is what makes no sense.
“It’s absurd to have to have a conversation about how illogical it is, ” Crowe said, when asked why he is against same-sex marriage. “Families are the foundation of our country. Families have been portrayed Scripturally as a man and a woman.” …
Ooooooh yes, Mr. Crowe, let’s crack open the ol’ “biblical marriage” chesnut — and how the United States is not, and never was, founded as a “Christian nation.” I relish the debate.
More at the link.
Tweet This Post! 
Filed Under: Christianity, Civil Rights, Homophobia, Marriage, Radical Religious Right, Republicans
