You have to have priorities when you’re an elected official. Several Alabama legislators are showing their prioritry of fixing something that isn’t broken.

The legislation, House 1 and Senate 4 and 5, are identical measures to solidify the illegality of same-sex marriage in Alabama. Legislators say they are responding to the desire of constituents while opponents say the constitutional amendment, which would have to be ratified in a statewide vote, is unnecessary because it is redundant.

“It’s already illegal for same-sex couples to marry in Alabama,” said the Rev. Robert H. Flanders of the Montgomery Unitarian Universalist Fellowship.

Still, Flanders said he’s done a handful of marriage ceremonies for same-sex couples since coming to Montgomery in September of last year.

Flanders said those against same-sex marriage are driving the issue, not gay people who want to marry.

Every time Rev. Flanders is quoted in the press I find myself agreeing with him 100%. Conservatives in the national media like to say that the Massachusetts Supreme Court started this fight, but no one has explained how that decision impacts on any other state. These Alabama bills are an effort begun by those who oppose recognition of same sex couples in the same way that interracial marriages were opposed by their forebearers. It is wrong, but I have full confidence we will move in the direction of full rights for all people in due course.

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