Well, that didn't take long.
Montana polygamist family applies for marriage license
BILLINGS -
Given the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that
same-sex marriage is legal in all 50 states, a Lockwood family is now
looking to solidify rights of its own. . . . The polyamorous movement is a national push to allow marriage between multiple partners. Nathan
Collier and his two wives, Vicki and Christine, said Tuesday that they
are simply looking for equality. Nathan is legally married to Vicki, but
also wants to legally wed Christine.
On Tuesday, Nathan and Christine traveled to the Yellowstone County Courthouse to see if they would be awarded the right to marry under the Marriage Equality Act. Polygamy is illegal under Montana state law, and recognized as a misdemeanor offense. "We just want to add legal legitimacy to an already happy, strong, loving family," said Nathan.
As the two filled out their marriage application they were met with questions. "There's a spot on there where you put the dissolution date of your previous marriage and we put 'not applicable,'" said Christine. In fact, the couple was met with varied reaction from employees, who were caught off guard. "So, are you legally married, you didn't get divorced?" asked one clerk. "We'll have to deny that, let me go grab the other supervisor real quick so I can get confirmation but as far as I'm aware you can't be married to two people at the same time," said another clerk.
The Colliers were initially denied the license, and the clerk later returned to tell the couple that they would have to check with the Montana Attorney General's office. When asked for comment, the Attorney General's office referred MTN News to two sections of Montana law, stating polygamy is illegal. "It's two distinct marriages, it's two distinct unions, and for us to come together and create family, what's wrong with that?" said Christine. "I don't understand why it's looked upon and frowned upon as being obscene."
The couple's goal is to have their story heard. The Colliers say if the state of Montana could only recognize their marriage as legal, it could be the catalyst for other states to follow suit. "All we want is legal legitimacy. We aren't asking anybody for anything else. We just want to give our marriage and our family the legitimacy that it deserves," said Nathan.
MTN News is still awaiting to hear whether or not the marriage application was officially denied.
If it's accepted, it would be the first in the nation.
On Tuesday, Nathan and Christine traveled to the Yellowstone County Courthouse to see if they would be awarded the right to marry under the Marriage Equality Act. Polygamy is illegal under Montana state law, and recognized as a misdemeanor offense. "We just want to add legal legitimacy to an already happy, strong, loving family," said Nathan.
As the two filled out their marriage application they were met with questions. "There's a spot on there where you put the dissolution date of your previous marriage and we put 'not applicable,'" said Christine. In fact, the couple was met with varied reaction from employees, who were caught off guard. "So, are you legally married, you didn't get divorced?" asked one clerk. "We'll have to deny that, let me go grab the other supervisor real quick so I can get confirmation but as far as I'm aware you can't be married to two people at the same time," said another clerk.
The Colliers were initially denied the license, and the clerk later returned to tell the couple that they would have to check with the Montana Attorney General's office. When asked for comment, the Attorney General's office referred MTN News to two sections of Montana law, stating polygamy is illegal. "It's two distinct marriages, it's two distinct unions, and for us to come together and create family, what's wrong with that?" said Christine. "I don't understand why it's looked upon and frowned upon as being obscene."
The couple's goal is to have their story heard. The Colliers say if the state of Montana could only recognize their marriage as legal, it could be the catalyst for other states to follow suit. "All we want is legal legitimacy. We aren't asking anybody for anything else. We just want to give our marriage and our family the legitimacy that it deserves," said Nathan.
MTN News is still awaiting to hear whether or not the marriage application was officially denied.
If it's accepted, it would be the first in the nation.
2 comments:
Surely they should succeed in becoming a threesome in a legal marriage. The door has been opened and, there being no right or wrong, how can the state deny them?
What's the next self indulgence we need to embrace?
3:16
Been thinking of marrying my tractor
Quite attracted to the old girl
You could say I love her every curve
Doesn't talk back
Never threatened to leave me..though she did wander off one day..of course she blamed me, so yes she may not be perfect
But Yes, let me marry her.
Say No to discrimination
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