Constitution prohibits a same-sex marriage ban

Those who oppose same-sex marriage have all sorts of reasons, but the final argument against the ban is a constitutional one.

For example, Gov. Butch Otter’s last appeal was because “the people of Idaho voted for a state constitutional amendment banning same sex marriage, therefore the people’s vote should be obeyed.” Also, “it’s a state’s right to define marriage.” Multiple court rulings show that a majority cannot impose limits on a minority. For example, the case Lucas v. Forty-Fourth Gen. Assembly of Colorado (1964) says “A citizen’s constitutional rights can hardly be infringed simply because a majority of the people choose that it be.”

JOHN BAGWELL JR.

Sandpoint

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