ADF attorneys argue in brief filed on behalf of state senator that court cannot grant annulment of an unrecognized marriage

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. — Attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund filed a friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday on behalf of a state senator, contending a Missouri court cannot grant annulment to two women since their “marriage” is not recognized under state law. The brief further argues that because neither of the women intended to live in Massachusetts when they received their marriage license, their union cannot be recognized by either state.

“The government should promote and encourage strong families. Granting an annulment to a same-sex couple not legally married in Missouri would do the opposite: it would undermine marriage as defined by the people of Missouri in the state’s marriage amendment,” said ADF Legal Counsel Dale Schowengerdt. “Marriage is the union of one man and one woman.”

On behalf of Missouri State Senator Delbert Scott, ADF attorneys explain in the brief that the courts have no legal jurisdiction to hear the case since Missouri does not recognize same-sex “marriage,” both through statute and constitutional amendment. The brief also argues that the union should be considered void under Massachusetts law as well because one of the women resided in a state that prohibits recognition of marriage licenses between same-sex couples.

ADF is a legal alliance defending the right to hear and speak the Truth through strategy, training, funding, and litigation.www.telladf.org www.domawatch.org