Steve Beshear, Asshole of the Day for May 9, 2014

by TeaPartyCat (Follow @TeaPartyCat)

After a judge said Kentucky had to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, as they recognize all other marriages performed in other states, the attorney general refused to defend the law in court. And that could have been that.

But then Gov. Steve Beshear stepped in and hired attorneys to defend the state’s refusal for him. And on what grounds does he want to keep the ban in place? Because gay couples can’t conceive children naturally:

Beshear’s argument to the Sixth Circuit echoes claims made by many other states defending marriage bans. Notably, because same-sex couples cannot “naturally procreate,” they are “not similarly situated to man-woman couples” and thus do not deserve the same benefits of marriage. Same-sex marriage, the brief argues, is a “new right,” so the state’s ban does not violate same-sex couples’ equal protection when it comes to marriage. But Beshear applies these assumptions in a new way: because same-sex couples do not contribute to the birth rate, it’s not economically beneficial for Kentucky to recognize their marriages. “Though there is a cost to Kentucky by granting tax and other benefits to man-woman couples, a stable or growing birth rate offsets the cost,” the brief argues. “Only man-woman relationships can naturally procreate, and only those relationships, therefore, are afforded the state sponsored benefit.”

As arguments for denying people rights go, this is a pretty poor one. And it falls apart quickly.

If he and Kentuckians really believe this, then of course they would only grant the right to marry to couples who can have children. They wouldn’t let just anyone get married. That would mean:

No marriages for people beyond childbearing years. Sorry straight 60-year-olds– living in sin is your only option as Kentucky won’t recognize your forbidden love.

Fertility tests prior to getting marriage licenses. If either the man or woman is unable to have children, then they cannot marry, because there’s nothing in it for Kentucky.

But of course Kentucky does no such thing. No state in the nation refuses to let different sex couples marry for any reason assuming they are of age. So this isn’t about the economic benefit to Kentucky; it’s about bigotry. And whether Gov. Beshear is himself a bigot or seeking to be reelected by bigots doesn’t matter. And for that, Steve Beshear is the Asshole of the Day.

It is Steve Beshear’s first time as Asshole of the Day, but one of many, many winners on the topic of gay marriage.

Full story: Think Progress

UPDATE: Kentucky gay marriage ban struck down.

A federal judge in Kentucky has struck down the state’s ban on same-sex couples getting licenses and marrying in the state. However, Tuesday’s ruling was temporarily put on hold because it will be appealed, meaning it is not yet clear when same-sex couples could be issued marriage licenses.

This decision is bigger than the previous one, but we’re assuming Gov. Beshear will still fight it even though the writing is on the wall for discrimination against gays– I mean why not milk a few more months of hate while you can, right? Asshole.