Arkansas wants to use Valentine’s Day to overturn marriage equality
The State of Arkansas wants to use Valentine’s Day to get a constitutional amendment to overturn marriage equality.
A hearing will be held in the Natural State today to consider a motion by Republican State Senator Jason Rapert defining marriage as between one man and one woman.
Filing Senate Joint Resolution seven earlier this month, Mr Rapert wants to prohibit states from accepting any definition of marriage, “except as the union of one man and one woman and no other union shall be recognised with legal incidents thereof within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction”.
If his motion is accepted, the State will petition the US Congress to amend the nation’s constitution.
34 states are currently required for a constitutional convention to be held. This rises to 38 plus a two-thirds vote in both Houses of Congress to be ratified.
However, in an interview with a local TV station, Sen. Rapert said he believed there were enough votes across the country for this to happen and claimed he was part of the “silent majority” that was “going to speak again”.
This is not the first time the GOP Senator has sought a constitutional convention, having tried to also amend the document to ban all abortion.
Since the election of Donald Trump fears have grown over hard-fought protections for the LGBT community.
Despite claiming to be an LGBT ally, the President has rolled back trans rights.
The British Government also recently announced Mr Trump would still be welcomed on a State Visit despite a petition signed by almost two million people calling for it to be cancelled.
