South Dakota Rep Seeks To Ban Same-Sex Marriage

Sioux Falls’ CBS News affiliate reports:

Rep. Tony Randolph, a Republican from Rapid City, introduced a bill Thursday that would prohibit the state from enforcing, endorsing or favoring policies that cover a range of activities that involve members of the LGBTQ community.

In short, the bill wants the state to not enforce, endorse and favor policies that allow same-sex marriage, policies that allow counties to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples and policies that prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill would also allow for conversion therapy and prohibit same-sex couples from receiving benefits.

The bill would also prohibit the state from enforcing, endorsing or favoring policies that permit public libraries or public schools in the state to partner with nonsecular organizations to promote, host, sponsor, favor or endorse drag queen storytime.

The Dickinson Press reports:

Irreconcilable differences would not be grounds for divorce in South Dakota under a newly proposed bill.

House Bill 1158, introduced by state Rep. Tony Randolph, R-Rapid City, would remove irreconcilable differences as a cause for divorce under state law. Randolph introduced the bill Wednesday, Jan. 29.

Adultery, extreme cruelty, willful desertion, willful neglect, habitual intemperance or a criminal conviction that resulted in incarceration would still be considered grounds for divorce under HB 1158.

The bill was introduced by Rapid City Republican Representative Tony Randolph. https://t.co/euAoZcUH21

— ACLU of North Dakota (@ACLUNorthDakota) January 31, 2020

Am I in the Twilight Zone, or are the legislators in South Dakota seriously as discriminatory and hurtful as they seem to be? #hb1215 is a direct attack against the civil rights of LGBTQ+ people, and Tony Randolph is the main sponsor. [email protected]

— Cody Ingle (@CodyIngle27) January 30, 2020