North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, announced this morning that he will veto a state Senate bill that would have allowed magistrate judges from refusing to perform lawful marriages based on religious beliefs. Many believed that the bill targeted same-sex marriages, which have been legal since October.
Senate Bill 2 allowed magistrate judges to “recuse themselves from performing duties related to marriage ceremonies due to sincerely held religious beliefs.” According to the New York Times, it was already passed by the Senate in February and then the state House of Representatives.
McCrory issued a statement this morning, making it clear that he would not sign the bill.
“I recognize that for many North Carolinians, including myself, opinions on same-sex marriage come from sincerely held religious beliefs that marriage is between a man and a woman,” McCrory wrote. “However, we are a nation and a state of laws. Whether it is the president, governor, mayor, a law enforcement officer, or magistrate, no public official who voluntarily swears to support and defend the Constitution and to discharge all duties of their office should be exempt from upholding that oath; therefore, I will veto Senate Bill 2.”
While the decision was praised by state gay rights groups, the supporters of the bill were clearly disappointed, as they suggested that it protected freedom of religion.
“A majority of the people’s elected representatives in both chambers agreed that this bill strikes an appropriate balance between the expansion of rights for some and our constitutionally-protected freedom of religion,” Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore, both Republicans, said in a joint statement.
Same-sex marriage was legalized in North Carolina last fall through appears court rulings. The Supreme Court finally took on same-sex marriage cases and will issue a ruling this summer. In the interim, same-sex marriage is legal in 36 states, plus the District of Columbia.
screenshot from Pat McCrory YouTube video