Law Written to ‘Protect’ People of Faith From Same-Sex Couples
A federal judge has just dismissed a lawsuit filed against a North Carolina law enacted specifically to “protect” magistrates from having to issue same-sex marriage licenses or officiate weddings of same-sex couples. The law, known as SB2, was drafted and passed by top North Carolina Republicans in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on marriage equality, as protection for people who claimed same-sex marriage violates their deeply held religious beliefs.Â
The complaint was dismissed on the grounds the plaintiffs, two same-sex couples and one interracial couple, did not have standing and had not been directly harmed by the law. The AP notes “U.S. District Judge Max Cogburn wrote there is potential someone could suffer real harm because of the law.”Â
The bill was originally sponsored by Senate President pro tempore Phil Berger, who has been actively working to fight same-sex marriage for years.
Last year Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed the bill, but Republicans were able to override his veto.
As of July last year, 14 magistrates had taken advantage of the law.Â
In order to appear non-discriminatory, the magistrate must promise to not marry any couples – gay or straight – for at least six months, but even during debate lawmakers were openly explaining that the legislation was to “protect” them from marrying same-sex couples.
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Image by ACLU-North Carolina via TwitterÂ