Lawmaker explains changes to Tennessee marriage bill reigniting gay marriage debate
Another hiccup as state lawmakers are considering a controversial new marriage bill. PHOTO: WZTV
NASHVILLE, Tenn. , (WZTV) – Another hiccup as state lawmakers are considering a controversial new marriage bill.
Critics blasted the measure because it did not include age restrictions. Fox 17 News’ Payton Muse went to representative Tom Leatherwood’s office to ask him why age restrictions were not factored in.
“The bill, as was passed out of subcommittee, my position is that the bill never would have allowed under a age people to marry because it's forming a marriage contract, and someone who hasn't reached the age of consent, or the age majority in Tennessee, would be restricted in that regard,” Representative Tom Leatherwood said.
“But I understand. Frankly, some people were looking at different ways to indirectly challenge and fight against the bill. And then some people just misunderstood it because of all the information that's flying around from the people that oppose the bill. So today in committee, I did put an amendment on there that directly, explicitly states that both parties have to have reached the age of majority, which is defined in Tennessee, as 18 or older. And that's the way that's the language that was amended into the Senate Bill is well, which came out of full judiciary committee,” he said.
The representative said there is an amendment that clarifies the age restrictions which is 18 years, or 17 with legal guardian consent.
He said the focus of this bill is to show respect for those who have ‘deep religious convictions’ spelling out common law marriage in Tennessee is between a man and a woman.
He says it won’t change anything for same-sex marriages but not everyone agrees.
"I think the idea here is that they want to create an alternative type of marriage that specifically deals with only men and women, and excludes people may male and male. And so it's, it excludes the same genders is what I think the bill does,” said Attorney David Raybin.
“As a representative for the state of Tennessee, is to the LGBT community do not worry about this piece of legislation, because even if it was to pass, it's going to fail in federal court,” said Representative Torrey Harris.
