Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Gay marriage advocates sue North Carolina over opt-out law
Source: Reuters
US | Wed Dec 9, 2015 11:18am EST
Gay marriage advocates sue North Carolina over opt-out law
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. | BY COLLEEN JENKINS
A North Carolina law that allows government officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if they cite religious objections is unconstitutional and should be struck down, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday to challenge the measure.
The six plaintiffs, who include gay and interracial couples, argue the legislation allows magistrates and other officials who perform marriages to put their personal beliefs before their sworn constitutional duty.
"And the law spends public money to advance those religious beliefs," said Luke Largess, a partner at the Charlotte-based law firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen that filed the challenge. "That is a straightforward violation of the First Amendment."
State officials did not immediately comment on the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Asheville.
North Carolina's Republican-led legislature passed the law earlier this year as social conservatives nationwide pushed for so-called "religious freedom bills" in response to same-sex marriage becoming legal.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Gay marriage advocates sue North Carolina over opt-out law
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. | BY COLLEEN JENKINS
A North Carolina law that allows government officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriages if they cite religious objections is unconstitutional and should be struck down, according to a lawsuit filed on Wednesday to challenge the measure.
The six plaintiffs, who include gay and interracial couples, argue the legislation allows magistrates and other officials who perform marriages to put their personal beliefs before their sworn constitutional duty.
"And the law spends public money to advance those religious beliefs," said Luke Largess, a partner at the Charlotte-based law firm Tin Fulton Walker & Owen that filed the challenge. "That is a straightforward violation of the First Amendment."
State officials did not immediately comment on the suit, which was filed in U.S. District Court in Asheville.
North Carolina's Republican-led legislature passed the law earlier this year as social conservatives nationwide pushed for so-called "religious freedom bills" in response to same-sex marriage becoming legal.
[font size=1]-snip-[/font]
Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-north-carolina-gaymarriage-idUSKBN0TS24S20151209
