Gov. Mary Fallin slams Supreme Court gay marriage decision

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin slammed Monday's decision by the Supreme Court not to hear an appeal to a court decision overturning her state's ban on same-sex marriage.

The Republican governor pointed to an overwhelming 2004 referendum in which Oklahomans voted for the now-defunct constitutional amendment in accusing the court of overturning the word of the state's voters.

"The will of the people has now been overridden by unelected federal justices, accountable to no one," Fallin said in a statement. "That is both undemocratic and a violation of states' rights. Rather than allowing states to make their own policies that reflect the values and views of their residents, federal judges have inserted themselves into a state issue to pursue their own agendas."

"Today's decision has been cast by the media as a victory for gay rights. What has been ignored, however, is the right of Oklahomans -- and Americans in every state -- to write their own laws and govern themselves as they see fit. Those rights have once again been trampled by an arrogant, out-of -control federal government that wants to substitute Oklahoma values with Washington, D.C. values."

Oklahoma's Question 711 was approved 75 percent to 24 percent.

A poll in June found about the same percent of Oklahomans supporting same-sex marriage -- 23.3 percent -- but opposition had fallen to 66.2 percent, with 11 percent of respondents saying they had no opinion. Nationwide, a small majority of people -- between 55 and 59 percent -- say they support gay marriage.

Other Oklahoma officials, including Attorney General Scott Pruitt and State Rep. Sally Kern, deeply criticized the decision.

On Monday, the court denied review of seven petitions appealing court decisions to overturn bans in Oklahoma, Utah, Indiana, Virginia and Wisconsin.

Proponents of same-sex marriage celebrated the move as a victory, as it cleared the way for marriages to begin in those states, and possibly six other states covered in the three federal circuit courts involved in the cases.

Court watchers were surprised at the court's decision not to weigh in on the issue, and now expect the it to only come up again if a federal court upholds a state ban, creating a split in circuit opinions.