Breaking: North Carolina Senate Votes To Allow Discrimination At The Marriage Bureau

The North Carolina Senate has just voted to allow magistrates to opt out of marrying same-sex couples. 

After two hours of debate, the North Carolina State Senate just past noon voted to allow discrimination at state marriage bureaus. The hotly-contested bill, should it become law, will allow magistrates and others appointed by the state to opt out of marrying same-sex couples – although they will not be allowed to perform any marriages of any couples, in an attempt to appear non-discriminatory.

While the legislation is targeted to protect magistrates with deeply-held religious beliefs from having to perform their duties by marrying same-sex couples, as senators opposed to the bill noted, interracial couples, and others, could just as easily be affected.

Magistrates would legally be given the right to opt out at any time, potentially upon being presented with their first same-sex couple. That scenario could lead to charges of discrimination on one of a couple’s most important days in their lives.

The bill passed largely on party lines, by a vote of 32-16, and heads to the House for a vote. Two Republicans voted against the bill.

After the vote concluded, Senator Phil Berger, who pushed the legislation, adjourned the day’s session.

Lawmakers opposed to the bill voiced concern about what might come next.

“Passing this bill will embolden other public servants to choose when and where they do their job,” Democratic Sen. Josh Stein told his colleagues. “We’re putting ourselves in league with Alabama as the states who refuse to respect the Constitution.”

Republican Sen. Buck Newton said he was “disgusted” by comparisons between racial discrimination and those opposed to same-sex marriage. “You’re born into your race. I don’t know about sexual orientation,” he said, adding, “People should not have to choose between their faith and their jobs.”

Calling the bill “discriminatory,” Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality in a statement said the legislation “treats gay and lesbian couples as second-class citizens and distorts the true meaning of religious freedom. Once again our legislature has demonstrated a willful disregard for the basic concept of treating all North Carolinians fairly.” She added, “I believe this bill will not stand the test of time because it is rooted in animus.”

Responses on Twitter were pointed:

 

Image: One of the first same-sex couples to marry in North Carolina.