Oklahoma State Rep. Mike Turner, a
Republican from Edmond, has proposed banning all marriages rather
than allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry.
“[My constituents are] willing to
have that discussion about whether marriage needs to be regulated by
the state at all,” Turner told News
on 6.
Ending the state's role in marriage
“would definitely be a realistic opportunity, and it's something
that would be part of the discussion,” he said of a shell bill he
introduced that can change its language as the debate progresses.
The proposal comes 10 days after a
federal judge struck down as unconstitutional Question 711, the 2004
voter-approved constitutional amendment which prohibits the state
from recognizing gay couples with marriage or civil unions.
In November, Oklahoma Governor Mary
Fallin, a Republican, halted processing of military spouse benefit
applications at state-owned National Guard bases rather than serve
gay couples.
The marriage case now heads to the 10th
Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver, which is also considering an
appeal to Utah's ban.