He has also filed a shell bill, House Bill 2466, dubbed the “Preservation of Marriage Act.” It contains no substantial language and can be modified, as can the other measure.

“I think House leadership will be responsible and wait until we have reached our own legal consensus until we make a move on those,” Turner said of the measures.

Turner said he opposes the recognition of gay marriage and believes marriage should be between a man and a woman.

Toby Jenkins, executive director of Oklahomans for Equality, said the public’s opinion on the issue has changed in the last 10 years.

Gay people want to be part of the American family and are not trying to redefine it, Jenkins said.

“We want to protect our children and have the same benefits that our neighbors do when they have long-lasting relationships,” Jenkins said.

“The law is unconstitutional and any effort to reinstate it or reinvigorate it is will be a waste of time and money,” said Laura Belmonte, chair of The Equality Network.

She said there are more pressing issues facing the state.

“Many Oklahomans really want our legislators to focus on things like improving education, public safety and economic development and are growing increasingly tired of the Legislature passing bills that are unconstitutional and really do nothing,” Belmonte said.