36 Oklahoma Republicans vote against child marriage ban
A man and woman exchange rings at a wedding (Stock image via Getty Images)
Oklahoma has officially banned marriage for anyone under the age of 18 after a contentious debate in the state House saw 36 Republican lawmakers vote against the measure, with some citing the Bible in their reasoning.
Senate Bill 504, which passed the state Senate unanimously before clearing the House in a 51-36 vote, became law on 13 May without the signature of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt. Stitt’s office has not explained why the Governor did not sign the bill.
Supporters of the legislation argued the law would help prevent the exploitation and abuse of minors, particularly young girls, by closing loopholes that previously allowed child marriages in the state. Democratic State Rep. Andy Fugate, who introduced the bill, described child marriage as a loophole that enabled “adults to have sex with minors,” while fellow Democratic state Rep. Cyndi Munson argued: “Marriage should wait until adulthood, and we don’t want to exploit children – especially young girls.”
Several Republican lawmakers opposed the bill using religious or parental rights arguments. State Rep. Jim Olsen referenced the biblical marriage of Mary and Joseph during debate, saying, “How confident are you that it is always wrong, 100% of the time, for 17-year-olds to get married? How old was Mary when she married Joseph?”
As per LGBTQ Nation, Rep. Derrick Hildebrant quoted Hebrews 13:4, questioning “Hebrews 13:4 – ‘Let marriage be held in honour among all.’ Does ‘among all’ now only mean those who are 18 and older?”
Rep. Justin Humphrey argued: “This bill has nothing to do with pedophilia. Do you know what socialism looks like? It’s when the government comes in and tells you what you’re going to do.”
According to advocacy group Unchained At Last, more than 3,400 minors were married in Oklahoma between 2000 and 2021. The organisation says most of those involved were girls marrying adult men. Oklahoma now joins 17 US states that have fully banned marriage under 18, while marriage involving a minor remains legal under certain circumstances in 33 states.
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