Author Of Same-Sex Marriage Ban Speaks Out

Wednesday, January 15th 2014, 11:21 pm

By: News On 6

The author behind Oklahoma's ban on gay marriage is speaking out.

It's been a part of Oklahoma's constitution for ten years. Now, it's been struck down by a federal judge.

That doesn't mean same-sex couples can run straight to the altar. The ban stays in effect because the judge expects his ruling will continue to be fought in court.

1/14/14 Related Story: Federal Judge In Tulsa Rules Oklahoma Gay Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

On Tuesday a huge celebration was happening at the Equality Center. On Wednesday, the creator of the ban tells us this ruling goes against the democratic process.

James Williamson, former state lawmaker, said, "I was obviously disappointed, but not totally surprised."

That was Williamson's first reaction after learning a federal judge struck down a ruling that ban's same-sex marriage in Oklahoma.

"The federal courts have always taken a much more activist view of the constitution and so that was always a risk that they were going to see that," Williamson said.

In 2004 Williamson drafted the amendment defining marriage as between one woman and one man. Oklahoma voters approved the measure by a 3 to 1 margin.

"It may not still be 75 percent, but I would suspect that it is still in the high 60s if not low 70s percent of the voters," said Williamson.

He agrees a lot has changed in nine years, but his biggest issue with the ruling is that one judge was able to reverse a public vote.

"Many people are very disappointed that states don't have the right to decide such basic fundamental issues like who should be allowed to marry," Williamson said.

Williamson is especially frustrated that the judge said the ban violates the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment.

State Representative Sally Kern agrees, "Homosexuality is not a civil right. It's a human wrong."

Kern is one of the loudest critics of gay rights.

"Homosexuals are saying this is who we are. This is how we're born. You tell a lie long enough, people start to believe it," Kern said.

Williamson said, "I think what we did was the right thing back then and it's the right thing right now."

He said it has been a long road to get here and he believes it is nowhere close to being over.