California man campaigns to ban divorce to protect marriage
A California man is leading a campaign to ban divorce in the state.
John Marcotte, of Sacramento, believes that if state voters think gay marriage should be illegal, divorce should also be outlawed.
He believes this is the logical extension of Proposition 8, which banned gay marriage in the state last November, and is aiming to collect enough signatures to get a ‘Marriage Protection Act’ on 2010’s ballot.
His website, rescuemarriage.org, features choice quotes such as “You said ‘Til death do us part’. You’re not dead yet.” and “Jesus still loves you if you get divorced – just not as much as before.”
Some readers of his website have apparently not got the irony, while others have expressed concern that churches are supporting it. Marcotte has even received some support from far-right religious groups.
Marcotte, a web designer, told the Sacramento Bee: “We’re going to enforce morality in California and then we’ll spread from state to state, the same way the Prop 8 backers moved to Maine.
“If you want to protect traditional marriage, don’t stop gay people from getting married. Stop straight people from getting divorced.”
He began his campaign in the summer and believes that with the ensuing media attention, he could secure the 700,000 signatures needed to get the issue on the ballot next year.
He has already filed his petition with the secretary of state.
When a reporter questioned whether the campaign was a joke, Marcotte replied: “If you’re saying what I’m doing is ridiculous, then you’re also saying Proposition 8 is ridiculous.
“I have more faith in the California voters. To not vote [for a ban on divorce] would be a little hypocritical.”
