House committee opposes bill allowing ministers to refuse gay marriages [View all]

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House committee opposes bill allowing ministers to refuse gay marriages

2 hours ago • By LAURA HANCOCK Star-Tribune staff writer
Reach political reporter Laura Hancock at 307-266-0581 or at [e-mail]. Follow her on Twitter: @laurahancock.

CHEYENNE – A bill that would have reaffirmed the right of religious officials to decline marrying same-sex couples was defeated Tuesday morning in a state legislative committee.

But some members of the House Judiciary Committee said they opposed it because they favor instead a bill that allows all people to decline performing services based on their religion and freedom of conscience, including issuing marriage licenses.

In October, a judge struck down Wyoming’s gay marriage ban.

House Bill 26 sponsor Rep. Eric Barlow, R-Gillette, said that although religious officials already have the right to decide who to marry, he wanted it clear in state law in case the courts decided to take on the issue.