On July 1st, someone using the name of TheRightNurse, radiant figure of feminine kindness posted an article to Ricochet about cousin marriage. She makes some good points that I've thought about before. If there is a national right to same-sex marriage, then there should be for cousin marriage also. If ability to have children is not relevant for same-sex couples, then it shouldn't be a factor for cousin couples either. If it were legal, the chances of birth defects would drop because couples would have access to genetic counseling without threat of imprisonment. Since marriage and abortion are not listed in the Constitution, I think they should be decided by the voters and not Congress or the Supreme Court.
Here is part of the article:
Obergefell requires all states and territories to recognize same-sex marriages from any and all states, to uphold them, and to provide for them as a function of due process and equal protection. Same-sex marriage cannot be banned.
If this is true, then cousin marriage laws must be overturned, based upon discriminatory practices and gender discrimination, as well as discrimination based upon sexual orientation.
According to Wikipedia (that font of knowledge!), nineteen states outright allow first-cousin marriage. California, of course, is one such haven. If someone wants to marry their cousin? CA is their place! Want to co-habit and have sexual relations? California, here we come! Strangely enough, states like Mississippi hold it to be out outright illegal and do not recognize out-of-state first-cousin marriages. Those wacky, backward southern states!
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