JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – State Representative Wick Thomas today introduced a house bill that aims to repeal the same-sex marriage ban in the state of Missouri.

HB 1459 seeks to eliminate provisional language that defines marriage exclusively as a union between a man and a woman. According to the bill, its purpose is to ensure that all couples, regardless of gender, are granted equal legal recognition. 

“Marriage is a basic human right, and states should not interfere with our personal freedom to choose same-sex marriage,” Thomas said in the media release. “All couples deserve to be recognized and respected in this state.”

According to the media release, Missouri statutes have provisional language that declares same-sex marriage as invalid, prohibiting marriage licenses from being given to same-sex couples. 

HB 1459, however, looks to repeal the discriminatory policies, establishing that all marriages are valid and deserving of equal protection under law, the media release notes.

“My marriage to my husband should not be in the hands of politicians,” Thomas said. “It is past time for Missouri to align its laws with the fundamental values of equality and justice.”