A St. Louis Circuit Court Judge ruled Nov. 5 that Missouri’s definition of marriage as being between a man and a woman is unconstitutional.
“The Court finds and declares that any same sex couple that satisfies all the requirements for marriage under Missouri Law, other than being of different sexes, is legally entitled to a marriage license,” wrote Judge Rex Burlison.
Meanwhile, Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster has appealed the ruling to the Missouri Supreme Court, but did not request a stay, thus allowing St. Louis County to begin issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
“This ruling is not based on any sound, legal reasoning and should be easily overturned,” said Don Hinkle, director of public policy for the Missouri Baptist Convention. “The people of Missouri voted overwhelmingly to amend their state constitution to define marriage as being between a man and a woman. The vote of Missourians is sacred and the words of the constitution are as plain as the nose on Judge Burlison’s face.
“It is a travesty that the attorney general did not request a stay. Mr. Koster supports same-sex marriage and has said that Missouri’s future will be one of inclusion of same-sex marriage not exclusion.That remains to be seen. Perhaps Mr. Koster will some day stand before the people of Missouri either in an impeachment hearing or in an open election where presumably the votes of the people will matter.”