Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

For Immediate Release: May 18, 2004

Audio Clip


Senate GOP Leader James A. Williamson

Radical Homosexual Group Misleading Public About
Marriage Protection Amendment

Cimarron Equality Oklahoma, a radical homosexual organization, is deliberately misleading the public about the Marriage Protection Constitutional Amendment that is scheduled for a public vote this November.

“Cimarron is misleading the public about the Marriage Protection Amendment in an attempt to scare Oklahoma voters into voting against it. They know that 80 percent of Oklahoma voters oppose legalizing same-sex marriages, so they’re trying to dupe the public in order to advance their radical agenda,” said Senate GOP Leader James Williamson, the author of the amendment.

Cimarron chairman Terry Gatewood said in recent radio and television interviews that the Marriage Protection Amendment would ban private companies from offering “domestic partner” benefits to unmarried or homosexual employees. Mr. Gatewood insinuated that adoption of the amendment would force businesses that offer these types of benefits, such as Boeing or American Airlines, out of the state.

“I have consulted with the Senate’s general counsel, and he agrees with my position that the Marriage Protection Amendment does not in any way limit a company’s ability to run its business in a way it sees fit,” Williamson said.

“The fact is that the Marriage Protection Amendment is about protecting traditional marriage in Oklahoma – which is even more important now that Massachusetts has started legally marrying same sex couples,” stated the Tulsa Republican.

“The Marriage Protection Amendment does not restrict private companies or organizations from offering domestic partner benefits or any other private benefits to homosexual employees. However, it does prohibit judges or government officials from forcing companies or organizations to offer such benefits,” Williamson said.

Williamson said the Marriage Protection Amendment (House Bill 2259) accomplishes four things:

1) Defines marriage in Oklahoma as only between one man and one woman.
2) Prohibits judges or government officials from interpreting the state constitution or state law as requiring that the benefits or legal incidents of marriage must be conferred upon unmarried groups or couples.
3) Prohibits the state from recognizing same-sex “marriages” performed in other states.
4) Makes it a misdemeanor to issue a marriage license that does not comply with this amendment.

“Contrary to Cimarron’s assertion that the Marriage Protection Amendment will somehow hurt Oklahoma economically, I believe we can use it to sell our state as a family-friendly place where traditional values still mean something. Standing up for our Oklahoma values will actually enhance our state’s ability to attract new businesses and jobs,” Williamson said.

For more information contact:
Senate Communications Office - (405) 521-5774