HELENA, Mont. — A Montana man said Wednesday that he was inspired by last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing gay marriage to apply for a marriage license so that he can legally wed his second wife.

Nathan Collier and his wives Victoria and Christine applied at the Yellowstone County Courthouse on Tuesday in an attempt to legitimize their polygamous marriage. Montana, like all states, outlaws bigamy – holding multiple marriage licenses – but Collier said he plans to sue if the application is denied.

“It’s about marriage equality,” Collier said Wednesday. “You can’t have this without polygamy.”

County officials initially denied Collier’s application, then said they would consult with the county attorney’s office, Collier said.

The Supreme Court’s ruling on Friday made gay marriages legal nationwide. Chief Justice John Roberts said in his dissent that people in polygamous relationships could make the same legal argument that not having the opportunity to marry disrespects and subordinates them.

Collier, 46, said that dissent inspired him. He owns a refrigeration business in Billings and married Victoria, 40, in 2000. He and his second wife, Christine, had a religious wedding ceremony in 2007 but did not sign a marriage license to avoid bigamy charges, he said.

Collier said he is a former Mormon who was excommunicated for polygamy and now belongs to no religious order. He said he and his wives hid their relationship for years, but became tired of hiding and went public by appearing on the reality cable TV show “Sister Wives.”

The three have seven children of their own and from previous relationships.

“My second wife Christine, who I’m not legally married to, she’s put up with my crap for a lot of years. She deserves legitimacy,” he said.

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