Breaking: North Carolina Overrides Governor’s Veto Of Anti-Gay Marriage Religious Freedom Bill
Lawmakers in both chambers pushed into law a bill that effectively allows magistrates to refuse to marry same-sex couples.
Photo: Lawmakers who opposed the anti-gay discriminatory bill
Thank you to all the legislators who opposed #SB2 pic.twitter.com/L8kJG4miDN
— Jonah Hermann (@JonahHermann) June 11, 2015
Late this morning the North Carolina House voted to override Governor Pat McCrory’s veto of legislation that allows magistrates to refuse to marry same-sex couples based on their claim of a sincerely held religious belief. Lawmakers during debate of SB2 were exceptionally clear that this bill was designed to “protect” magistrates, who, like county clerks in other states, are charged with giving out marriage licenses and marrying couples in civil ceremonies.
The North Carolina Senate voted for the bill in February, and the House passed it in May. Very quickly, Republican Governor Pat McCrory, citing the U.S. Constitution, vetoed the bill.
In a 32-16 vote, the Senate on June 1 overrode Gov. McCrory’s veto, and this morning the House did also, in a 69-41vote.
The bill, when it becomes effective, requires magistrates to opt out of officiating all marriage ceremonies, to avoid the appearance of anti-gay discrimination.
“Senate Bill 2 is unconstitutional, and will undoubtedly be challenged in court,” Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, said in a statement. “This bill, which will now become law, is discriminatory and treats gay and lesbian couples as second class citizens. We are more determined than ever to achieve full equality for LGBT people in North Carolina and to ensure that LGBT youth know that they are not alone.”
Some responses via Twitter:
Shameful and sad day for NC. My plan to move back to my home state is over. I refuse to live where hate thrives. #NCGA #SB2
— R Roach (@RyanRTampa) June 11, 2015
@Maja1218 This hateful #SB2 opens doors for all sorts of discrimination. And we taxpayers still must pay the discriminators’ salaries.
— Justin Hodges (@J_J_Hodges) June 11, 2015
@SenatorBerger – #SB2 is clearly unconstitutional & waste of time. If your plan is to make NC an embarrassment, then good job. #ncga #ncpol
— Matt (@eatwritego) June 11, 2015
It’s a problem when public employees can choose who to serve, who to deny service to, but that’s the new reality in NC #SB2 #ncpol
— Jasmine BeachFerrara (@jbeachferrara) June 11, 2015
#SB2 represents all that is wrong with #ncga and #ncpol instead of working together to better NC, once again we will just exclude a group.
— The Real Moderate (@TheRealModerate) June 11, 2015
I wonder what the state would do if I did not pay taxes related to funding it provides for something I find sincerely objectionable. #SB2
— PhilMGuidry (@philmguidry) June 11, 2015
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Image by Jonah Hermann via Twitter
Hat tip: Washington Blade
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