Breaking: Federal Judge Rules Clerks Cannot Cite Religion to Recuse From Issuing Marriage Licenses
Huge, Potentially Precedent-Setting DecisionÂ
A federal judge has judge clerks in Mississippi cannot cite their religious beliefs as valid reasons to recuse themselves from granting marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The case was argued by Roberta Kaplan, who won the historic Supreme Court DOMA case.
U.S. District Judge Carlton Reeve ruled Monday afternoon, preventing the State of Mississippi from allowing HB 1523, a so-called “religious freedom” law signed by Republican Governor Phil Bryant from taking effect Friday, the AP reports.
Kaplan, who is representing the Campaign for Southern Equality, argued HB 1523 violates First Amendment separation of church and state. She told CSE after today’s ruling, “Judge Reeves reaffirmed the authority of federal courts to say what the United States Constitution means.”
UPDATE I:
Equality Case Files has the order:
Here’s the order: https://t.co/UD4GVQRnkT https://t.co/WPUqyULr3Q
— Equality Case Files (@EQCF) June 27, 2016
And Roberta Kaplan posted this tweet — more to come!
Thx, but today’s decision was just the appetizer; main course to be served by J. Reeves later this week! @CSElive https://t.co/7o6FqFbN72
— Robbie Kaplan (@kaplanrobbie) June 27, 2016
UPDATE II: 6:38 PM EDT –
A few tweets from the Campaign for Southern Equality:
Expert witness from @PRRIpoll showed the religious, not secular, foundations of #HB1523 during testimony in front of Judge Reeves.
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) June 27, 2016
Plaintiff, Rev. Hrostowski said #HB1523 is an affront to her Christian values. Devaluing LGBT people is the antithesis of the gospel.
— Southern Equality (@CSElive) June 27, 2016
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This is a breaking news and developing story. Details may change. This story will be updated, and NCRM will likely publish follow-up stories on this news. Stay tuned and refresh for updates.
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Image by Blake Feldman via Twitter
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