Polygamous Montana trio applies for wedding license

[Jazzy]

Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

Nathan Collier and his wives Victoria and Christine applied at the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings on Tuesday in an attempt to legitimize their polygamous marriage. Montana, like all 50 states, outlaws bigamy — holding multiple marriage licenses — but Collier said he plans to sue if the application is denied.

"It's about marriage equality," Collier told The Associated Press Wednesday. "You can't have this without polygamy."

County clerk officials initially denied Collier's application, then said they would consult with the county attorney's office before giving him a final answer, Collier said.

Yellowstone County chief civil litigator Kevin Gillen said he is reviewing Montana's bigamy laws and expected to send a formal response to Collier by next week.

"I think he deserves an answer," Gillen said, but added his review is finding that "the law simply doesn't provide for that yet."

The Supreme Court's ruling on Friday made gay marriages legal nationwide. Chief Justice John Roberts said in his dissent that people in polygamous relationships could make the same legal argument that not having the opportunity to marry disrespects and subordinates them.

Source

Do you think that people in polygamous relationships should be able to marry? Why/Why not?

 

[DrLeftover]

I posted that this was going to be next when all this started.

The same arguments used for homosexual marriage will be used here.

"Love Wins" right?

 

[Jazzy]

There's an easy way out of this mess. Government should get out of the marriage business for everyone. Government doesn't have to endorse marriage. Where is it written it's the government business to decide the definition of marriage? Not in any legal document I know of. No more marriage licenses for anyone. If you want a Christian marriage, go to your Christian minister/judge. If you want a gay marriage, go to your gay minister/and judge. If you want to marry your dog, go get Lassie to endorse it for you.

 

[DrLeftover]

The problems arise when the person married to their favorite rose bush wants the marriage tax benefit, or to have the bush on their life insurance, or listed on a real estate deed.

That's when it becomes the government's business.

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Is there a explanation from the government why a person can't have more than one spouse if that's what they want? Legal, Taxes/dependents stuff or what?

 

[DrLeftover]

There used to be.

It was based on the traditional definition of human marriage, family, parents, etc.

Given recent rulings, that is no longer valid.

Plural marriage is just as valid as everything else, so, have at it.

 

[WHO IS SERAFIN]

There's an easy way out of this mess. Government should get out of the marriage business for everyone. Government doesn't have to endorse marriage. Where is it written it's the government business to decide the definition of marriage? Not in any legal document I know of. No more marriage licenses for anyone. If you want a Christian marriage, go to your Christian minister/judge. If you want a gay marriage, go to your gay minister/and judge. If you want to marry your dog, go get Lassie to endorse it for you.

This I have been saying for years and probably a dozen times here or more. Get government out marriage and all these benefits given out. This would help end some of the deep divisions in this country. And the unlawful ruling from the supreme court will be meaningless.

But people abusing marriage through government recognition I have long said would happen also. And the circus begins!