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swag

(26,487 posts) Sat Nov 22, 2014, 06:33 PM Nov 2014

Billings clerk opts out of issuing same-sex marriage license

Source: KRTV/MTN News

BILLINGS -- As same-sex couples in Montana celebrate their right to marry, a Yellowstone County employee is also asserting a right.

U.S. District Court judge Brian Morris in Great Falls ruled on Wednesday in favor of four Montana same-sex couples suing for the right to marry.

Morris ruled that the state's constitutional amendment limiting marriage to between a man and a woman violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

A few clerks in Yellowstone County requested that they not be required to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

One clerk cited a religious reason, while three others wanted to opt out because of morals and values.

Read more: http://www.krtv.com/news/billings-clerk-opts-out-of-issuing-same-sex-marriage-license/

11 replies

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Billings clerk opts out of issuing same-sex marriage license (Original Post) swag Nov 2014 OP

But they will issue divorce certificates no problem. Hypocrite assholes. nt TeamPooka Nov 2014 #1

What 'right' is the Yellowstone County employee asserting? Sheldon Cooper Nov 2014 #2

Morally opposed to their duties? They should find a new occupation. Downwinder Nov 2014 #3

Exactly shenmue Nov 2014 #7

Then they loose thier jobs weissmam Nov 2014 #4

Is there anyone with a lot of civil rights history knowledge here? jmowreader Nov 2014 #5

Find another job. pinto Nov 2014 #6

If they can't do their jobs in a non-discriminatory manner, they need to opt out of those jobs. Comrade Grumpy Nov 2014 #8

You're all public servants. Serve the public or get opted out of your jobs. n/t rocktivity Nov 2014 #9

If these clerks wont do their jobs as civil servants paid with tax payer dollars they should cstanleytech Nov 2014 #10

Dereliction of duty/insubordination? blkmusclmachine Nov 2014 #11

TeamPooka

(24,232 posts)

1. But they will issue divorce certificates no problem. Hypocrite assholes. nt

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 06:35 PM

Nov 2014

Sheldon Cooper

(3,724 posts)

2. What 'right' is the Yellowstone County employee asserting?

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 07:17 PM

Nov 2014

Downwinder

(12,869 posts)

3. Morally opposed to their duties? They should find a new occupation.

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 07:20 PM

Nov 2014

shenmue

(38,506 posts)

7. Exactly

Reply to Downwinder (Reply #3)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 11:49 PM

Nov 2014

Last time I checked, there was no official religion in this country and they had no right to refuse you a public service because of their personal opinions.

weissmam

(905 posts)

4. Then they loose thier jobs

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 09:10 PM

Nov 2014

jmowreader

(50,561 posts)

5. Is there anyone with a lot of civil rights history knowledge here?

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 09:46 PM

Nov 2014

After Loving v. Virginia (which invalidated laws against interracial marriage, aka "antimiscenegation" laws) was handed down, how many county clerks cited religious reasons for continuing to refuse to grant marriage licenses to mixed-race couples? The Bible does speak of the evils of allowing the "mixing of the races."

Eventually someone's going to have to decide: is America a theocracy or isn't it? There are way too many people in this country who would just LOVE to implement a Christian version of Sharia.

pinto

(106,886 posts)

6. Find another job.

Reply to swag (Original post)

Sat Nov 22, 2014, 10:31 PM

Nov 2014

Off hand comment, obviously. Guess they could bring suit individually. Good luck with that. Holdouts in opposition of equality standards that are becoming established in our country.