Justice Sonia Sotomayor: If Gay Marriage Is Legal, What About Polygamy?

http://politics.gather.com ^ | March 27, 2013 | by Renee Nal

[Maelstorm]

Justice Sonia Sotomayor was questioning former U.S. Solicitor General Ted Olson, a pro-gay marriage Republican. She brought up a very interesting question during the exchange: If gay marriage is legal, what about polygamy?

Sotomayor asked, "If you say that marriage is a fundamental right, what state restrictions could ever exist?" before referencing "polygamy and incest among adults," as reported by Matt Canham of the Salt Lake Tribune. The argument is an illustration of a broader issue about the culture of American society. To agree that gay marriage is indeed protected by the "equal protection" clause in the Constitution, wouldn't the same apply for all consenting adult relationships?

Justice Sonia Sotomayor's thought-provoking question was echoed by Bishop Harry Jackson, a minister at Hope Christian Church in Beltsville, Md. He believes that "the real issue is the religious liberty issue and the issue of whether we can practice marriage as we believe it on an ongoing basis," and further stated that if same-sex marriage "is allowed to be mandated by fiat...then, right behind it, polygamy and many other forms of marriage will automatically sweep the land within just a matter of a few years." Advocates of legalizing gay marriage, as opposed to offering a compromise of "civil unions," which they argue is no different than "separate but equal" should consider this question.

Recently, President Obama's "Organizing for Action" tweeted a quote from the president, whose position on this has "evolved" in a big way from 2008, when he stated, "I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage." The tweet quoted the President as saying: "Every single American deserves to be treated equally in the eyes of the law," followed by the hashtag #MarriageEquality. If this is true, than America should do away with programs like affirmative action, which do not treat everyone "equally". Additionally, if this is true, than loving polygamous families should be allowed to get married.

[Vanders9]

Good point. Another strike against “multiculturalism”.

[GrouchoTex]

That's the way I've heard as well, but evidently, others say I am wrong.
So be it.
I've have been married twice (but only one marriage at a time).
I am not Mormon or Native American, but Mormons I know say that was the case, due to the influx of women and lack of men, Just sayin.....

[GrouchoTex]

I really don’t have a dog in the fight, as I am neither Mormon or a Polygamist.
My understanding was that women outnumbered men, so when the Mormons arrived at Salt Lake, they chose polygamy as a way to survive.
If I am wromg, no woories.

[GrouchoTex]

Cool, I stand corrected and have been misinformed.