News (USA)

North Carolina magistrates say no to same-sex marriages

North Carolina magistrates say no to same-sex marriages
Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.)
Gov. Pat McCrory (R-N.C.) AP

MARION, N.C. (AP) — A supervising judge says magistrates in a northwestern North Carolina county are refusing to perform same-sex marriages, citing the state’s religious exemption law.

WLOS-TV in Asheville reports (http://bit.ly/1UJOXoa) four McDowell County magistrates have recused themselves from performing the ceremonies. Magistrates from a neighboring county are substituting.

Supervising Judge Randy Poole said that, by law, the McDowell magistrates cannot perform any kind of marriages for six months if they refuse to wed gay couples.

State lawmakers adopted a measure in June that allows court officials to refuse to perform gay marriages because of their religious beliefs. Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed it, but the N.C. Senate and House overrode his veto.

Columbia University Law School Professor Katherine Franke says the North Carolina law violates the U.S. Constitution’s requirement that state governments operate in a “religiously neutral” fashion.

© 2015, Associated Press, All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Don't forget to share:

Support vital LGBTQ+ journalism

Reader contributions help keep LGBTQ Nation free, so that queer people get the news they need, with stories that mainstream media often leaves out. Can you contribute today?

Cancel anytime · Proudly LGBTQ+ owned and operated

Three school board members resign after transgender student debate

Previous article

Lesbian stands trial for impersonating a man and tricking woman into having sex with her

Next article