http://www.ksdk.com/news/politics/bill- ... /362243469
A Missouri lawmaker has filed a bill that would redefine marriage in state law and replace marriage licenses with "contracts of domestic union."
Rep. T.J. Berry, a Clay County Republican, said Friday he filed an identical bill last year and intends to take marriage out of government's hands and leave the matter up to churches. The remaining "domestic unions" would allow couples to receive governmental benefits.
Berry, a self-described "very religious" Southern Baptist and ordained deacon, filed the bill despite his own church's unhappiness. Indeed, he says he heard criticism from LGBT advocates and traditional marriage proponents alike who "aren't exceptionally happy with it" and filed it anyway.
People who favor gay marriage have told Berry the bill takes away the ability for LGBT couples to be formally recognized as "married," while proponents of traditional marriage believe that when marriage is removed from government, it's removed from society.
"Very few people I've talked to like (his bill), but I really do think it is the solution that takes out some of the heat of the argument," Berry said.
Berry's bill, which he says changes every use of the word "marriage" in state statute, comes after a Supreme Court ruling in June 2015 that extends the right to marriage to gay and lesbian couples.
PLEASE LET A YUGE METEOR HIT EARTH AND END THIS NOW
1This is just my opinion, yours may vary and is no less valid.
- Me -
"I will never claim to be an expert, and it has been my experience that self proclaimed experts are usually self proclaimed."
-Me-
I must proof read more
- Me -
"I will never claim to be an expert, and it has been my experience that self proclaimed experts are usually self proclaimed."
-Me-
I must proof read more