Attorneys for Arizona have told a federal judge that if same-sex marriage becomes legal in the state, fewer heterosexual couples will be interested in tying the knot
Attorneys for a Christian group representing Arizona have told a federal judge that if same-sex marriage becomes legal in the state, fewer heterosexual couples will be interested in tying the knot, reports KNAU.
Earlier this month, Judge John Sedwick ruled that the state must recognize the California marriage of Fred McQuire and his partner of 45 years George Martinez, who died in August of pancreatic cancer. That ruling allowed McQuire to list himself as spouse on Martinez's death certificate.
Sedwick said the state's argument that Arizona's marriage law doesn't discriminate is without merit because McQuire and Martinez “may not marry…precisely because of their sexual orientation.”
The Christian-based Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) believes that the legalization of same-sex marriage would send the message that marriage exists “primarily for the state to approve romantic bonds, rather than…sexual conduct of the type that creates children.”
According to attorneys for ADF, once the link between marriage and procreation is broken, heterosexual couples would not feel the need to wed.
However, attorney Jennifer Pizer of Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, said “here is zero indication that [same-sex marriage] is having any adverse effect whatsoever on whether heterosexual couples choose to marry or not marry, or how they raise their children, or otherwise participate in society.”
Watch a report on the McQuire/Martinez ruling, AFTER THE JUMP…
