Montana legislators have tabled a resolution seeking to delegitimize marriage equality, temporarily preventing it from moving forward. The state Senate Judiciary Committee voted to table a resolution declaring that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling establishing marriage equality, Obergefell v. Hodges, is “at odds with the Constitution of the United States and the principles on which the United States was established.” The resolution was introduced by Republican state Sen. Rob Phalen but was ultimately opposed by Republican Sen. Sue Vinton and Democrats, resulting in a 6-2 vote to table it.
During the meeting, many people spoke against the resolution, including Democratic state Rep. Zooey Zephyr, who shared a touching story about her wedding to emphasize the importance of marriage equality. The resolution was seen as part of a larger cultural attack against the LGBTQ+ community, with similar efforts being made in other states like Idaho.
The resolution’s proponents, including Justice Clarence Thomas, have called for a revisiting of decisions related to marriage equality, among other issues. Montana voters did approve a constitutional amendment prohibiting marriages between same-sex couples in 2004, but it was struck down by a federal court in 2014 and further nullified by the 2015 Supreme Court ruling. If the Supreme Court were to overturn Obergefell, marriage equality would still be protected nationally by the Respect for Marriage Act.
Overall, the tabling of the resolution in Montana is seen as a positive outcome for proponents of marriage equality, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the United States.
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