OK: Law on the Books Criminalizes Performance of Gay Marriages

Here is the OK marriage law section §43-14. Penalty for performing unlawful marriage.
Any minister of the Gospel, or other person authorized to solemnize the rites of matrimony within this state, who shall knowingly solemnize the rites of matrimony between persons prohibited by this chapter, from intermarrying shall be deemed guilty of a felony, and upon conviction thereof shall be fined in any sum not exceeding Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) and imprisonment in the State Penitentiary not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.

R.L. 1910, § 3896. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 461, eff. July 1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 335, eff. July 1, 1999.

All the proposed bill does is strike “State Penitentiary” and insert “custody of the Department of Corrections”. According to this blog post, this is just a shell bill that Nelson filed, to have on hand ‘just in case’. Certainly worth keeping an eye on him, but there seems to be nothing really threatening happening with this particular bill as it stands.

Full Story from Pam’s House Blend
Click here for gay marriage resources.
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MA: Episcopal Bishop to Let Priests Officiate at Gay Weddings

The Episcopal bishop of Massachusetts has given priests in his diocese permission to officiate at same-sex weddings.

Bishop M. Thomas Shaw III told The Boston Globe on Sunday that gay and lesbian couples deserve the “same sacrament of fidelity” as heterosexual couples.

Shaw has been a long-term supporter of gay marriage, but previously cited the Episcopal Church’s canons and prayer book in barring local priests from officiating at same-sex marriages, even after they became legal in Massachusetts in 2004.

Full Story from the Boston Herald: http://news.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view/20091130mass_episcopal_bishop_oks_same-sex_marriages/srvc=home&position=recent

Click here for gay marriage resources in Massachusetts.


To subscribe to this blog, use the rss feed on the right, or use the form at right to join our email list. You can also email us at info@purpleunions.com. Or find us on Facebook – just search for Gay Marriage Watch (you’ll see our b/w wedding pic overlooking the Ferry Building and Bay Bridge in SF). We’re also tweeting daily at http://www.twitter.com/gaymarriagewatc.