‘Sister Wives’ Stars Pushing Polygamy Legalization? Utah’s Plural Marriage Ban Questioned
"Sister Wives" stars Kody Brown and his four wives Meri, Christine, Janelle and Robyn are reportedly pushing for polygamy legalization in Utah. In fact, the lawyers for the family had recently asked a federal appeals court to uphold a ruling that "decriminalized" plural marriages in the state.
Based on the lawsuit filed by the Browns, the family made famous by the TLC reality show "Sister Wives" contended that Utah's polygamy ban violated the constitutional rights of Americans to liberally engage in their religion, noting the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS) practice of plural marriage.
The Browns, who championed the polygamy battle in Utah in 2013, also highlighted that the ban has violated the privacy rights of consenting adults as well the freedom of religious rights by prohibiting cohabitation, Inquisitr noted.
While it is no longer against the law to purport to be married to more than one person in Utah, it remains illegal to garner a marriage license for more than one spouse.
Meanwhile, the Utah Attorney General's Office has appealed the 2013 ruling. State prosecutors stressed that they do not intend to prosecute the "Sister Wives" stars but said that polygamy ban should remain a part of the state revised code.
"The Browns don't seem like the kind of situation that causes people too much pause. But there are other situations where there are multiple spouse arrangements where there is abuse," Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes' Chief of Staff Parker Douglas said. "When you have people who may be vulnerable, the state has a responsibility to make sure that its citizens are safe."
A judge has also questioned a lawyer for Utah regarding the need to ban plural marriages in Utah. According to Portland Press Herald, a three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Denver pointed out some questions to the state attorney after hearing arguments on Utah's appeal of a ruling that struck down significant parts of a law banning polygamy.
The judges also questioned how the law hurt the Browns in a state with a longstanding policy against prosecuting otherwise law-abiding adults in polygamous marriages.
Kody Brown and his wives, however, maintained that "Sister Wives" exemplifies the loving and healthy nature of plural marriage. They also claimed the lifestyle choice can be just as respectful and fulfilling as traditional marriage.
Brown added that keeping the Utah polygamy ban would only boost the distrust of authority many FLDS members already feel. He also highlighted that the authorities already have other laws in place to protect potential victims of the list of crimes including sexual assault, statutory rape and exploitation of government benefits, as mentioned by the attorney general's office.
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