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Local officials drag their feet on gay marriage despite supreme court ruling Local officials drag their feet on gay marriage despite supreme court ruling
(about 4 hours later)
The battle for marriage equality continues in at least seven states as local officials refuse to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples, following a landmark decision by the US supreme court that struck down marriage bans in every state.The battle for marriage equality continues in at least seven states as local officials refuse to provide marriage licenses to same-sex couples, following a landmark decision by the US supreme court that struck down marriage bans in every state.
Though this decision means that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, judges and county clerks have cited religious beliefs, confusion and paperwork as reasons that the marriages have not gone through. Clerks in states including Kentucky and Texas blatantly refused to issue the licenses while clerks elsewhere said they are waiting for the proper paperwork to be used for same-sex marriage licenses. Though this decision means that same-sex marriage is legal nationwide, judges and county clerks have cited religious beliefs, confusion and paperwork as reasons that the marriages have not gone through. Clerks in states including Kentucky and Texas blatantly refused to issue the licenses, while clerks elsewhere said they are waiting for the proper paperwork to be used for same-sex marriage licenses.
“They are just coming up with these foot-dragging maneuvers for the short term,” said Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.“They are just coming up with these foot-dragging maneuvers for the short term,” said Shannon Minter, the legal director for the National Center for Lesbian Rights.
In Alabama, US district judge Callie Granade issued an order that said probate judges in the state must follow the supreme court’s ruling. So did the US fifth circuit court of appeals.In Alabama, US district judge Callie Granade issued an order that said probate judges in the state must follow the supreme court’s ruling. So did the US fifth circuit court of appeals.
Same-sex marriage was made legal in the state before the supreme court’s ruling, but the state’s chief justice said judges did not have to follow Granade’s initial ruling that struck down the ban, creating a legal mess that the supreme court’s ruling effectively ended.Same-sex marriage was made legal in the state before the supreme court’s ruling, but the state’s chief justice said judges did not have to follow Granade’s initial ruling that struck down the ban, creating a legal mess that the supreme court’s ruling effectively ended.
The National Center for Lesbian Rights is counsel in the case challenging the state’s ban and said that most, but not all, judges are complying with the ruling. “Our view of that is that it is a problem that is almost certain to resolve itself over time because of public pressure,” said Minter.The National Center for Lesbian Rights is counsel in the case challenging the state’s ban and said that most, but not all, judges are complying with the ruling. “Our view of that is that it is a problem that is almost certain to resolve itself over time because of public pressure,” said Minter.
Meanwhile, Missouri LGBT group Promo is looking into possible legal action against the few counties that are refusing to issue the licenses. Governor Jay Nixon said that the state would “ensure this decision is implemented through the state”.Meanwhile, Missouri LGBT group Promo is looking into possible legal action against the few counties that are refusing to issue the licenses. Governor Jay Nixon said that the state would “ensure this decision is implemented through the state”.
Kentucky’s attorney general, Jack Conway, said that any clerk who refuses to issue the licenses “is opening himself or herself to potential legal liability and sanctions” and has encouraged couples to seek legal counsel if they are denied licenses. Some clerks there cited religious reasons in their refusal to issue licenses.Kentucky’s attorney general, Jack Conway, said that any clerk who refuses to issue the licenses “is opening himself or herself to potential legal liability and sanctions” and has encouraged couples to seek legal counsel if they are denied licenses. Some clerks there cited religious reasons in their refusal to issue licenses.
Cleburne and Randolph county officials in Arkansas told the AP that they had not been in a position to issue same-sex marriage licenses and were not clear on whether they would. The Cleburne county clerk said she is resigning because of the decision and the Randolph county clerk said she is seeking direction from God.Cleburne and Randolph county officials in Arkansas told the AP that they had not been in a position to issue same-sex marriage licenses and were not clear on whether they would. The Cleburne county clerk said she is resigning because of the decision and the Randolph county clerk said she is seeking direction from God.
Texas’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, said that state officials did not have to obey the ruling if it violated their religious beliefs, but that they may face penalties if they decline to issue the licenses.Texas’s attorney general, Ken Paxton, said that state officials did not have to obey the ruling if it violated their religious beliefs, but that they may face penalties if they decline to issue the licenses.
The Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal, a candidate for the presidency, suggested that state officials who have religious objections to same-sex marriage do not have to follow the supreme court’s order. The Red River Parish clerk of court, Stuart Shaw, cited the governor’s claim to defend his decision to not issue the licenses. He also said he is waiting until the US fifth circuit court of appeals officially overturns an order that upheld the state’s ban.The Louisiana governor, Bobby Jindal, a candidate for the presidency, suggested that state officials who have religious objections to same-sex marriage do not have to follow the supreme court’s order. The Red River Parish clerk of court, Stuart Shaw, cited the governor’s claim to defend his decision to not issue the licenses. He also said he is waiting until the US fifth circuit court of appeals officially overturns an order that upheld the state’s ban.
Michelle Zimmerman, the county clerk in Sioux County, Nebraska, said she would refuse to issue the licenses for religious reasons, acknowledging that it could result in legal action.Michelle Zimmerman, the county clerk in Sioux County, Nebraska, said she would refuse to issue the licenses for religious reasons, acknowledging that it could result in legal action.
Mississippi’s governor, Phil Bryant, said on Wednesday that the state recognizes the supreme court’s decision as controlling and that judges should follow it. A Mississippi circuit clerk of 24 years resigned on Tuesday because of the supreme court’s decision.Mississippi’s governor, Phil Bryant, said on Wednesday that the state recognizes the supreme court’s decision as controlling and that judges should follow it. A Mississippi circuit clerk of 24 years resigned on Tuesday because of the supreme court’s decision.
Jennifer Riley-Collins, the executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, said the tactics are reminiscent of what happened after the supreme court made segregation illegal in schools with its landmark 1954 Brown v Board of Education decision. The justices said that the decision should be implemented “with all deliberate speed”, a statement later interpreted as giving schools time to unnecessarily delay implementation.Jennifer Riley-Collins, the executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi, said the tactics are reminiscent of what happened after the supreme court made segregation illegal in schools with its landmark 1954 Brown v Board of Education decision. The justices said that the decision should be implemented “with all deliberate speed”, a statement later interpreted as giving schools time to unnecessarily delay implementation.
“The communities across Mississippi are, by and large, receptive to people just living their lives,” Riley-Collins said. “We are hoping that we will not see a lot of blowback discrimination.”“The communities across Mississippi are, by and large, receptive to people just living their lives,” Riley-Collins said. “We are hoping that we will not see a lot of blowback discrimination.”