Bill Would Allow Texas Clerks to Opt Out of Same-Sex Marriage Licenses

[TexasTowelie]

Eighteen months after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, Texas Republicans are still trying to chip away at the landmark decision.

Senate Bill 522, filed Thursday by state Senators Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, and Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, would allow county clerks to opt out of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples if it would violate their “sincerely held religious beliefs.”

-snip-

Under SB 522, clerks could instead delegate the duty of issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples to deputy clerks, judges or magistrates. County commissioners could also appoint a “certifying official” — another employee or a contractor — to issue the licenses if no deputy clerks, judges or magistrates are available.

Ken Upton, Dallas senior counsel for the LGBT civil rights group Lambda Legal, said the proposal could run afoul of the high court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges depending on how it’s applied, especially in smaller counties.

Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/texas-gop-still-trying-to-chip-away-at-gay-marriage-ruling/

[HassleCat]

1. What about Jews?

They killed Jesus!

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

2. Ahhh, jeez.

Just do your job.

If your job is to issue marriage licenses, then issue them. If your job is to fill prescriptions, then fill them. What is so difficult to understand?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

3. Exactly... or else "opt out" by finding another freakin' job!

[Nay]

4. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 . . . . days until every Texas county fills the county clerks' offices

with fundies who refuse to issue same-sex marriage licenses. You know that whenever a local election is held, this will happen. It's just like abortion --- sure, keep it legal, but you won't be able to get it done anywhere.