Oklahoma Senate Bill SCR8

Oklahoma 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/1/25

Caption

Concurrent resolution; recognizing that marriage is between one man and one woman; calling on the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn Obergefell v. Hodges.

Impact

If SCR8 is adopted, it could lead to heightened tensions between state laws and federal mandates regarding marriage. The resolution seeks to reaffirm state sovereignty over marriage definitions, thereby potentially allowing Oklahoma to reject the federal standard set by Obergefell and limit marriage to heterosexual couples. Advocates assert that returning marriage regulations to the states is essential for preserving local governance and ensuring that community standards dictate personal unions rather than federal mandates, which they perceive as overreach.

Summary

SCR8 is a Concurrent Resolution that explicitly recognizes the definition of marriage as between one man and one woman. It calls upon the Supreme Court of the United States to overturn the landmark ruling of Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage across the country. The resolution argues that the Obergefell decision contradicts the original public meaning of the Constitution and undermines the rights of states to determine marriage laws according to their individual constitutions and the will of their voters. It reinforces the principles of the Oklahoma Constitution, which affirmed traditional marriage in State Question 711 with over 75% of voter support in 2004.

Contention

The resolution is likely to generate considerable debate, particularly among various social and political groups. Proponents of SCR8 argue that it safeguards the historical and religious understanding of marriage, while adversaries contend that it discriminates against same-sex couples and undermines the rights bestowed by the federal government. Critics claim that the push to overturn Obergefell could legitimize discrimination and erode the civil rights protections that have been established for LGBTQ+ individuals. This contention reflects broader national discussions about marriage equality and states' rights versus federal authority, making SCR8 a pivotal issue for both legal and social landscapes.