1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I urge the repeal of Section 451.022 of the Missouri Revised Statutes, which prohibits same-sex marriage in the state. This statute is unconstitutional under the 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, which established that same-sex couples have a fundamental right to marry under the Due Process and Equal Protection Clauses of the 14th Amendment. The Court held that couples of the same sex may not be deprived of that right and liberty. Additionally, in 2014, a federal district court ruled in Lawson v. Kelly that Section 451.022 violates the federal due process and equal protection clauses by significantly interfering with the fundamental right of marriage and creating an unconstitutional gender-based classification. Maintaining this discriminatory and unconstitutional law on the books disregards the Supreme Court's ruling and perpetuates injustice against LGBTQ+ Missourians who should have equal rights and dignity under the law. I request that you take action to repeal Section 451.022 and ensure marriage equality for all in our state.