A New Jersey brother and sister have won the right to marry after a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States.
In a 5-to-4 ruling, five judges unanimously granted the appeal by James Banes, 41, and Victoria Banes, 38, today after a ten-year-long battle. The overjoyed pair said they did it for the ‘millions of Americans who have consensual incestuous relationships and who are living in fear’ and blasted the Government for wasting taxpayers’ money fighting their challenge.“Incest has been practiced by humans since the dawn of time. If Adam and Eve hadn’t done it, the human race would not be here today,” James Banes told reporters after his historic victory.
The Banes family lawyer, Julianne Grey, argued that criminalizing incestuous marriage while first-cousin marriage was legal in the state of New Jersey was a nonsensical and discriminatory measure.“Why am I allowed to bang my cousin but not my sister? It just doesn’t make any sense,” James Banes criticized outside of court.
The couple that was currently facing up to 15 years in jail said that they were now planning to start a large family and enjoy their newly found freedom. “We’ve always dreamed of having a big family, now this dream will become a reality” added Victoria Banes, who also told reporters she is pregnant and expecting twins. Previously, New Jersey state laws only allowed first-cousin marriages but since the landmark ruling, New Jersey is now the only state in the country to also allow incestuous marriages.DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
Latest Stories
-
Blinken says China helping fuel Russian threat to Ukraine
41 mins -
MHA declares May as Purple Month for Mental Health Awareness
56 mins -
WAEC arrests former headmaster over illegal students registration
1 hour -
MeToo founder Tarana Burke defiant after Harvey Weinstein ruling
1 hour -
Be alert, insist on decent messages – Dwumfour tells media
2 hours -
Father jailed 10 years for burning daughter’s genitals with hot cutlasses
2 hours -
I aim to help Ghana produce world-class athletes – Asamoah Gyan
2 hours -
Ashanti Regional Minister alleges sabotage in electricity supply
2 hours -
2024 Elections: Dampare urges Ghanaians to prioritise patriotism and display maturity
2 hours -
‘Let it rot’ campaign hits fish prices in Egypt
2 hours -
Otumfuo chalks 25 years on Golden Stool today
2 hours -
Saudi could get first Miss Universe contestant this year
2 hours -
Ghana Shippers’ Authority initiates steps to sign Service Level Agreements with stakeholders
2 hours -
Fuse ODG supports rising artiste, Fred Kobby, with funds for music video
3 hours -
Mohbad’s toxicology result finally ready
3 hours