Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 03:33 PM Jul 2015

Montana Trio Applying for Marriage License

Last edited Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:38 PM - Edit history (1)

Well, that didn't take long at all. I'm game. Let them have at it!

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/polygamous-montana-trio-applies-for-wedding-license/

A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week's U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

Nathan Collier and his wives Victoria and Christine applied at the Yellowstone County Courthouse in Billings on Tuesday in an attempt to legitimize their polygamous marriage. Montana, like all 50 states, outlaws bigamy - holding multiple marriage licenses - but Collier said he plans to sue if the application is denied.

"It's about marriage equality," Collier told The Associated Press Wednesday. "You can't have this without polygamy."

County clerk officials initially denied Collier's application, then said they would consult with the county attorney before giving him a final answer, Collier said.
55 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Montana Trio Applying for Marriage License (Original Post) TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 OP
Good for them. I hope they are successful. nt kelly1mm Jul 2015 #1
No. NuclearDem Jul 2015 #2
Ah, a post that links to a notorious libertarian website. demmiblue Jul 2015 #3
Oh fine... I could care less where the story comes from. TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 #13
BTW: did you start this OP because of the recent, and well justified, locks? demmiblue Jul 2015 #4
No. It just popped on my facebook from a friend TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 #6
Well, my advice would be to reconsider posting what your 'friends' think. demmiblue Jul 2015 #9
more rw libertarian bullshit equating same-sex marriage with harems geek tragedy Jul 2015 #5
Actually, it looks to me like it's supporting polygamy. TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 #8
it trivializes the same-sex marriage decision into a glibertarian one of 'freedommmm!" geek tragedy Jul 2015 #11
I'm not sure how anyone would justify interfering. TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 #12
the question is not interference but granting legal rights, benefits, privileges and the imposition geek tragedy Jul 2015 #14
I'm not sure what your talking about. TampaAnimusVortex Jul 2015 #17
our legal system is built around the assumption that a person can geek tragedy Jul 2015 #18
Thank YOU! smirkymonkey Jul 2015 #32
Bingo. cwydro Jul 2015 #10
+1000 smirkymonkey Jul 2015 #31
None of my biz. Puzzledtraveller Jul 2015 #7
have been expecting this! oldandhappy Jul 2015 #15
I'm gonna say onethatcares Jul 2015 #16
No government imposed rules are legitimate now because gay people can get married. prayin4rain Jul 2015 #19
Bad idea davidpdx Jul 2015 #20
Messy yes, but more complex relationships than 2 party partnerships also exist in business HereSince1628 Jul 2015 #21
I disagree davidpdx Jul 2015 #29
This presumption is sort of a wild trump : In the event of no legal written HereSince1628 Jul 2015 #30
How long until two corporations try to marry? Orrex Jul 2015 #22
Mitt and Bain: Our story nt geek tragedy Jul 2015 #24
OK But only one Social Security check and one food stamp card. nt kelliekat44 Jul 2015 #23
Sick tricks from passive-agressive bullies. They should be ashamed of themselves. n/t Betty Karlson Jul 2015 #25
I think it is great. Finally happiness for everyone. yeoman6987 Jul 2015 #28
Because this is making a mockery of same sex marriage. smirkymonkey Jul 2015 #33
That is 100 percent your opinion. yeoman6987 Jul 2015 #34
Mine, and anyone who is not against the decision. smirkymonkey Jul 2015 #37
The decision is 100 percent supported here yeoman6987 Jul 2015 #38
I'm not. I just think this argument makes a mockery of marraige equality. smirkymonkey Jul 2015 #48
Same feeling here. n/t Betty Karlson Jul 2015 #49
Don't some religious folks already do this? It just wasn't recognized by the state before ileus Jul 2015 #26
Obviously marriage equalization does not promote polygamy rock Jul 2015 #27
I'm looking forward to the courts smacking this down. nt Ilsa Jul 2015 #35
Well that is biblical Marriage at its finest! n/t n2doc Jul 2015 #36
Good! Marriage equality for all, no exceptions! linuxman Jul 2015 #39
As opposed to the people playing the "if there's SSM, then why not polygamy?" card. NuclearDem Jul 2015 #40
. linuxman Jul 2015 #41
Yes, there is precedent for polygamy being a terrible institution. NuclearDem Jul 2015 #42
What's the current divorce rate for 1:1 couples? linuxman Jul 2015 #43
Oh, so please spare me the "you're the REAL bigot here" bullshit NuclearDem Jul 2015 #44
Spare me your BS. linuxman Jul 2015 #45
Aww, so transparent, it's adorable! NuclearDem Jul 2015 #46
linuxman is right you know your just using the same arguments that were used against gay marriage, Katashi_itto Jul 2015 #47
You're right! NuclearDem Jul 2015 #53
Lol! So predictable. Your arguments are the same again. Katashi_itto Jul 2015 #54
Polygamy has been studied extensively where it's been and currently is practiced. NuclearDem Jul 2015 #55
Forget it. romanic Jul 2015 #50
I'd bet fundies are behind this. xfundy Jul 2015 #51
This has already been beaten nigh to death here... DeadLetterOffice Jul 2015 #52

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
13. Oh fine... I could care less where the story comes from.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:37 PM
Jul 2015

Here, I'll replace the link with some other site to appease those so offended.

demmiblue

(36,875 posts)
4. BTW: did you start this OP because of the recent, and well justified, locks?
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:09 PM
Jul 2015

Are you an avid fan of reason.com?

Is your name Warren Jeffs?

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
6. No. It just popped on my facebook from a friend
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:19 PM
Jul 2015

I did get locked recently. I was debating some issue and probably got a bit more insulting than I should have. We all have those days I'm guessing.

demmiblue

(36,875 posts)
9. Well, my advice would be to reconsider posting what your 'friends' think.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:26 PM
Jul 2015

Also, look into the sources of the articles you post.

And, to think a little deeper into issues other than, 'fuck yeah'.

Just a few suggestions.

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
8. Actually, it looks to me like it's supporting polygamy.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:25 PM
Jul 2015

And like I said, I'm all for them being free to get married if they want.

I see their support in this statement:
Troublingly, those opponents usually lumped in plural marriage, at its heart an arrangement between consenting adults, and activities that aren't about consenting adults, like pedophilia and bestiality.

They are making the distinction between voluntary arrangements and those that are abusive.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
11. it trivializes the same-sex marriage decision into a glibertarian one of 'freedommmm!"
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:29 PM
Jul 2015

in reality, same-sex marriage is so much like heterosexual marriage that there was no possible justification for it, other than dislike of GLBT people

The state can regulate marriage in a sensible and rational manner. Same-sex marriage failed that test.

Institutionalized monogamy passes that test easily.

Same-sex marriage and heterosexual marriage are virtually identical--they are the same behavior and rules and rights.

They are completely different than any scheme of poly marriage would be.

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
12. I'm not sure how anyone would justify interfering.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:34 PM
Jul 2015

They want to voluntarily form a union just like couples. I fail to see the distinction on why it's ok to stop 3 people from a voluntary arrangement, but its not ok to stop some variation of 2 people.

Sounds like conservative grasping at tradition. I could care less what they do.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
14. the question is not interference but granting legal rights, benefits, privileges and the imposition
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:39 PM
Jul 2015

of commitments and obligations.

institutionalized monogamy is the foundation of marriage in the US, from a legal perspective.

poly marriage would require destroying that system and completely rewriting the tax code as well as many, many, many different laws.

simply not worth it to satisfy mental masturbation by libertarians

TampaAnimusVortex

(785 posts)
17. I'm not sure what your talking about.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:44 PM
Jul 2015
institutionalized monogamy is the foundation of marriage in the US


and that argument has been used before.

Christianity is the foundation of society in the US


or

Man/Women marriage is the foundation of marriage in the US


etc...

Just saying so doesn't imply much.

That said, I'm not really interested in trying to change your mind. You go right on ahead wanting to prevent voluntary interactions and I'll go on supporting them. Good day.
 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
18. our legal system is built around the assumption that a person can
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:48 PM
Jul 2015

have no more than one spouse.

it is not equipped to deal with the alternative.

the absence of poly marriage is ergo a foundational, core assumption of our legal approach to marriage.

two guys getting married doesn't change that core. the heterosexual couples still have the same obligations and rights and relationship as before.

allowing poly marriage radically transforms the legal status of every heterosexual, and same sex marriage, in the country.

to indulge a few fundamentalist clowns living in the mountains and glibertarians is nowhere near the incentive to do that.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
32. Thank YOU!
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 04:56 PM
Jul 2015

for explaining that for those that don't seem to get it. Fuck, my head is about to explode.

onethatcares

(16,178 posts)
16. I'm gonna say
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:44 PM
Jul 2015

None of my biz either.

If they are consenting adults I don't give a rats patootie if they are three wives and two husbands or whatever. Main thing, none of the bestiality or pedophilia applies to a marriage situation.

it's gonna muck up the divorce proceedings if anyone wants out but hey, that's life.

prayin4rain

(2,065 posts)
19. No government imposed rules are legitimate now because gay people can get married.
Thu Jul 2, 2015, 04:57 PM
Jul 2015

This is ridiculous. The marriage micro structure has a legitimate purpose and is rooted in tradition and law. The government cannot discriminate on those wishing to enter into a marriage micro structure based upon sex, race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. The government can refuse to change the long standing micro structure and not recognize whatever other micro structure arrangements people make up. You can tell everyone at the bar that you have five wives, but your employer is not obligated to put all five wives on your insurance, the government will not pay SS benefits to all five wives, etc.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
20. Bad idea
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 05:50 AM
Jul 2015

If one of the partners wanted out of the marriage it would be very very messy. How do you determine who owns what? Someone would likely get screwed.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
21. Messy yes, but more complex relationships than 2 party partnerships also exist in business
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 07:36 AM
Jul 2015

which on dissolution also have to deal with dividing up assets and liabilities.

What is/are the State's interest in licensing marriage? If it is neat and tidy dissolution, it seems that organizational structures for marriage could be chartered to guide that so that persons have protections that insure fair treatment.

If I had a clear understanding of the State's interest in marriage it would be possible to consider if and how plural marriage might work for and/or against the interest of the State in licensing such marriages.

I don't claim to clearly understand the State's interest in marriage. But, those interests seem to be about how the State recognizes marriage's influence on public and private promises and obligations and engage taxation and access to public services.

Questions about joint property, parental responsibilities and rights would be made across more people. Yet, these things already do exist for people who despite the nation's traditions of monogamy actually practice plural marriage as a series of one monogamous relationship at at time, and who accumulate on-going responsibilities and rights across relationships with multiple partners.

And I can see how questions about means testing for eligibility and allocations of public service/assistance/tax benefits would need to be made across more people, but I don't see a significant change in character of the state's interest.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
29. I disagree
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 04:29 PM
Jul 2015

I think it would be messier that you think. What if a man were married to two women and he had a child with one of them and an agreement was made that the other (the non-parent) would also serve as a guardian. In the event of no legal written document it becomes a pretty messy legal case. If a house that was bought jointly between three people and some years later one of the three was suddenly excluded for some reason or another (the relationship soured) the question would arise to how the other person would be compensated. Would they be required to sell the house if they could not come up with the money to compensate the other person?

In my view it has nothing to do with the state's interest, but how would all parties involved be protected. The comparison of a business partnership is not the same since personal feelings are involved. It is also not the same as gay marriage, which is the argument this guy is trying to use.

Also keep in mind that in order for Utah to get admitted as a state, the practice of polygamy had to be ended:

In the 1890 Manifesto, the LDS Church banned polygamy. When Utah applied for statehood again, it was accepted. One of the conditions for granting Utah statehood was that a ban on polygamy be written into the state constitution. This was a condition required of other western states that were admitted into the Union later. Statehood was officially granted on January 4, 1896.

HereSince1628

(36,063 posts)
30. This presumption is sort of a wild trump : In the event of no legal written
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 04:40 PM
Jul 2015

document it becomes a pretty messy legal case.

Yes it would. But that doesn't have to be the case, and the creation of the charter under which plural marriages could be licensed could/should have requirements that the legal written document exists.

I see a parallel between business and marriage in this respect. For many years partnerships were a pattern in small business, but partnerships create havoc upon dissolution and limited liabilities companies were chartered and have been used in all 6 of the states I've lived in as an adult.

Similar structures could be created for plural marriage that allow the agreeable partners to go forward together (and that could be same sex partners) while the disaffected person is removed from the continuing union.

I don't see Utah's 130 year old constitution a problem. I don't think of the federal or state constitutions as unchangeable. State constitutions get amended and new ones are written. The US constitution is regularly amended.

The only problem I see for Utah is that church beliefs have been structured to shun/banish people who practice plural marriage. There would likely be a need for a prophet to hear the will of god re another article being written into the LDS Doctrine and Covenants.
Getting into specific questions without any legal structures sort of dooms all discussion.

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
28. I think it is great. Finally happiness for everyone.
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 12:43 PM
Jul 2015

I could care less if 50 people marry each other. No big deal to me. I am pretty liberal though.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
33. Because this is making a mockery of same sex marriage.
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 05:01 PM
Jul 2015

People need to cut the crap with all the other marriage variations just to oppose this ruling. Its really f-ing childish and I'm sick of it.

 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
38. The decision is 100 percent supported here
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 10:34 PM
Jul 2015

Of course a big chunk want further equality. Why are you putting equality to bed. We're not done yet.

 

smirkymonkey

(63,221 posts)
48. I'm not. I just think this argument makes a mockery of marraige equality.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 03:42 AM
Jul 2015

it allows people to degrade it.

ileus

(15,396 posts)
26. Don't some religious folks already do this? It just wasn't recognized by the state before
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 09:35 AM
Jul 2015

I don't see a problem here.

rock

(13,218 posts)
27. Obviously marriage equalization does not promote polygamy
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 11:02 AM
Jul 2015

What group would we be trying to equalize with? (That is what group already, under the law, allows multiple spouses?)

 

linuxman

(2,337 posts)
39. Good! Marriage equality for all, no exceptions!
Fri Jul 3, 2015, 11:47 PM
Jul 2015

I wish them all the best.

Some of those arguing against these folks are using the same exact arguments the right wing has been using against same-sex marriage for years. Very telling.

 

NuclearDem

(16,184 posts)
40. As opposed to the people playing the "if there's SSM, then why not polygamy?" card.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 12:16 AM
Jul 2015

You know, the one the right wing used for years to delegitimize samesex marriage.

Polygamy is a failure. It was very rightly abandoned. Marriage equality means equality inside monogamy.

 

linuxman

(2,337 posts)
41. .
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 12:32 AM
Jul 2015

Yes, yes, and the righties tell us that marriage is between men and women.

Why is your definition any more valid? Marriage is about people who love each other joining together in a union. Who are you to tell someone they can't love two people? There is legal, historical, and cultural precedent for it. Some people love more than one person. Get over it. It's 2015.

 

NuclearDem

(16,184 posts)
42. Yes, there is precedent for polygamy being a terrible institution.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 12:38 AM
Jul 2015

That's why it was virtually all-but abandoned in the West.

The right worked to delegitimize samesex marriage by comparing it to polygamy. Polygamy is a failure as an institution.

Sorry, not getting fooled by this nonsense again.

 

linuxman

(2,337 posts)
43. What's the current divorce rate for 1:1 couples?
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 12:47 AM
Jul 2015

How many 1:1 marriages are abusive? How many 1:1 marriages have problems? How is it a failure, other than in the sense that it was outlawed, thus preventing people who love each other from living happily together in a multi-person partnership?

All but abandoned? Why? Because most people don't marry multiple persons? Newsflash: The number of same sex marriages in the west is minuscule compared to "Traditional" marriage.

Let me guess, it would somehow "cheapen" "real" marriages or something? I've heard it all. You have no rational explanation for why it shouldn't be allowed, just bigotry for what you personally have no utility for. That's a shitty reason to deny a right to others who aren't like you.

 

NuclearDem

(16,184 posts)
44. Oh, so please spare me the "you're the REAL bigot here" bullshit
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 12:54 AM
Jul 2015

You guys tried this with the "transracial" nonsense. You fell for a stupid rightwing meme then, and you're falling for one now.

There's a wealth of literature on the effects of polygamous relationships on spouses, children, and societies as a whole, and they're pretty damn clear it's a terrible institution.

You're not the tip of the spear of a new social movement. You're being played. It's 2015. Polygamy is a failure. Deal with it.

 

linuxman

(2,337 posts)
45. Spare me your BS.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 01:06 AM
Jul 2015

Every argument you make is literally interchangeable with every argument I've read against same-sex marrige. Bad for kids? check. Bad for society? check. Bad for spouses? check. Every last argument has been played out.

Bigotry usually stems from a personal inability to empathize with and understand others. The good news is, that means there is hope for you one day. People change.

 

Katashi_itto

(10,175 posts)
47. linuxman is right you know your just using the same arguments that were used against gay marriage,
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 03:07 AM
Jul 2015

interracial marriage. Wow it never ends, doesn't matter what particular group I guess. People always find someone to hate.

 

NuclearDem

(16,184 posts)
53. You're right!
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 10:02 AM
Jul 2015

If you don't consider that religious and conservative opposition to samesex marriage was based on fascist adherence to gender roles, some out-of-context Bible verses, and outright hatred of LGBT people dating back centuries, and was based on what might happen...

...and objections to polygamy are based on sociological studies about polygamy as it has existed and as it currently exists and come from objections to reinforcing gender roles.

But yeah, I guess if you don't do any critical thinking on the subject at all, the arguments are the same.

 

NuclearDem

(16,184 posts)
55. Polygamy has been studied extensively where it's been and currently is practiced.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 11:50 AM
Jul 2015

Rightwing nonsense about samesex marriage came from fictitious homophobic fears of child molestation, "divine judgment", and the fallacious idea there can be no morality outside of religion.

Studies of polygamy past and present show that children perform worse in schools than children from monogamous households, spouses are psychologically damaged by the inequality of the relationship, and polygamy leads to increased intrasexual competition among males.

The government has the right to not recognize social structures that are detrimental to society or an unnecessary burden. They had absolutely no such case with interracial and samesex marriage, but they absolutely have one with polygamy.

romanic

(2,841 posts)
50. Forget it.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 04:30 AM
Jul 2015

These so-called "social liberals" jump at any chance to help out the "new oppressed" group of the month to buy liberal cred. Last month it was the transracial morons, now it's the poly-swingers. Them equating gay marriage to harems are showing their true colors; they're no different than conservatives.

xfundy

(5,105 posts)
51. I'd bet fundies are behind this.
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 04:48 AM
Jul 2015

They've been claiming for years this would be "the next thing on the slippery slope," and I know some here might be shocked, but they often lie to scare the populace.

But the Mormons are based on polygamy, so why should anyone be surprised? Mitt Romney's probably getting off on this idea.

DeadLetterOffice

(1,352 posts)
52. This has already been beaten nigh to death here...
Sat Jul 4, 2015, 09:34 AM
Jul 2015
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141133901

Why the hell does anyone get to care who or how many someone else marries? If everyone is COMPETENT, OF AGE, & CONSENTING, how is it anyone's business but theirs?
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Montana Trio Applying for...