Louisiana Judge Upholds Ban on Same-Sex Marriage to Prevent Incest

A U.S. District Court in New Orleans court upheld Louisiana’s ban on same-sex marriage on Wednesday. Judge Martin Feldman’s decision is the first major blow to marriage equality since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) in 2013. Feldman, a Reagan appointee, also upheld Louisiana’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages that are performed outside of the state.

In his 32-page ruling, Feldman implied that expanding the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples could open the door to legalizing incest and polygamy.

“Must the states permit or recognize a marriage between an aunt and niece?” he wrote. “Aunt and nephew? Brother/brother? Father and child? May minors marry? Must marriage be limited to only two people?”

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