Tag: North Carolina

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North Carolina: Some Magistrates Quit Rather Than Perform Same-Sex Weddings

With the arrival of marriage equality in North Carolina, some magistrates have quit their jobs rather than perform same-sex marriages:

Time Warner Cable News has been able to determine at least 10 of the 16 magistrates who left last month, did so because they will not perform same-sex marriages.

For a little perspective, the court system reports there are 672 magistrates across the state, so only about 1.5 percent have left because of the same-sex marriage ruling.

One former magistrate was quoted as saying “There were no offers to make any accommodations.” An accommodation to discriminate???

In my opinion, good riddance. As a public servant, you don’t get to pick and choose when or why you do your job.

There are still over 660 magistrates to perform their duties in the state in accordance to state law.

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Liberty Counsel To Anti-Gay Magistrates: Stay On The Job So We Can Sue

Mat Staver of homophobic Liberty Counsel 

I recently reported on six magistrates in the state of North Carolina who resigned their positions rather than marry same-sex couples now that marriage equality has come to the state.

Now, however, Mat Staver of the virulently anti-gay Liberty Counsel is urging homophobic magistrates to stay on the job so they can sue the state:

“Stand your ground. Do not voluntarily resign your post when confronted with this intolerant agenda.” Staver made these comments after several magistrates in North Carolina resigned because they refused to preside over a same-sex marriage.

“I appreciate the conviction of these magistrates, but rather than resign they should remain at their post. Liberty Counsel will represent them, but once they resign there is not much we can do to help,” said Staver.

“Where would the Civil Rights movement be if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., voluntarily went home when he faced opposition? Where would we be today if Rosa Parks had voluntarily moved to the back of the bus? The quest for religious freedom was the reason American was born. We cannot voluntarily give up this unalienable right,” concluded Staver.

The fact of the matter is this really seems like Staver looking for work for Liberty Counsel folks. Liberty Counsel hasn’t won against gay rights in a long time.

And in a case of civil servants (magistrates) refusing to fulfill their duties based on discrimination, they would lose here, too.

(h/t Good As You)

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Six North Carolina Magistrates Quit Rather Than Marry Same-Sex Couples

Bill Stevenson is one of six North Carolina magistrates who have resigned rather than perform same-sex weddings since the 4th Circuit Courts ruled in favor of marriage equality in Virginia.

In an interview, Stevenson said:

“I prayed about it; I asked for wisdom. I think our hearts have been led away by the cares of the world, our desires, and ultimately, our intense arrogance – our hubris – against the Lord. We’ve rejected the prime authority of the scriptures, something our Nation’s Founding Fathers, such as John Adams, knew better than to do.

“In both the Old and New Testaments, homosexuality is something the Lord does not approve of, and since He doesn’t, I could not put the sanction of the state on a relationship that runs afoul of scripture.

“I hate to wax it so biblical but it says ‘what good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul’? So, that’s the stakes I put on this.”

North Carolina is under the jurisdiction of the 4th Circuit, so the ruling becomes controlling precedent for the whole Circuit. And performing weddings is part of the magistrates’ job as a public servant.

What I never seem to understand when folks are this deeply religious – but NOT homophobic they tell you – is why aren’t they so devoutly upset about folks eating shellfish? Or folks wearing clothes out of mixed fibers? Or stoning folks to death who “labor on the Sabbath?”

Why is it only marriage equality that gets them sooooooo upset that they make such public statements?

Why? Because gay.

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North Carolina: NOM Runs LYING Ad Against Kay Hagen

The virulently anti-gay is dumping money into North Carolina’s Senate race, but in doing so NOM is literally LYING by rewriting history and how the government works.

It’s important to note that although NOM would like you think differently, Sen. Kay Hagen did not “handpick” the judge who ruled in favor of marriage equality bringing the freedom to marry to the state.

As a matter of fact, Judge Coburn was UNANIMOUSLY confirmed by the Senate. And that includes the vote from Hagen’s fellow NC Senator Richard Burr (R).

Oh – and senators don’t “handpick” any judge. Judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate.

But NOM hopes their ilk doesn’t know how history or the government works.

(h/t Jeremy Hooper/Good As You)

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News Round-up: October 25, 2014

Prince Harry mentors kids at rugby camp

Some stories you may have missed:

• Hunky Prince Harry looks hot even when mentoring kids at rugby.

• “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” cancelled cause Mama Boo Boo is allegedly dating a convicted child molester.

• Guess which new TV series is already the first to be cancelled this season?

• Costco’s over 127,000 employees will definitely have Thanksgiving Day off to spend with their families. This is how to run a successful company, kids.

• North Carolina legislators consider legalizing “license to discriminate” for marriage officiants who don’t want to perform same-sex marriages.

• New book – Streisand: In The Camera Eye – features a collection of 170 photos spanning over 50 years of Barbra Streisand’s career, most of which have never been published.

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North Carolina Magistrate Resigns Over Same-Sex Marriage

A North Carolina magistrate has decided to resign rather than perform same-sex marriages.

From WITN:

Rockingham County Magistrate John Kallam Jr. sent a letter to Chief District Court Judge Fred Wilkins on Thursday saying when he took his oath of office, he didn’t take it with the understanding that he would be required to marry same-sex couples.

Kallam wrote that marrying gay couples “would desecrate a holy Institution established by God Himself.”

Kallam declined further comment when reached at his home Thursday afternoon.

Kallam’s resignation, effective Oct. 31, comes a day after North Carolina magistrates were ordered to perform civil marriages for same-sex couples or face suspension or dismissal. The directive was issued after a magistrate in Pasquotank County refused to marry two men, citing religious objections.

If you can’t follow the law as a public official, it’s best to resign.

And stay out!

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North Carolina Magistrates Directed To Perform Same-Sex Marriages

The state of North Carolina has informed magistrates — agents of the state whose responsibilities include performing civil marriages — that there are no special anti-gay discrimination rights.

The state has issued a memo saying the magistrates must comply with the law and perform marriages for same-sex couples, or they will be disciplined.

From the Washington Post:

North Carolina magistrates have been directed to perform civil marriages for same-sex couples or face suspension or dismissal from their state jobs.

A memo to state magistrates Wednesday said they would be violating their oaths of office if they refuse to marry gay or lesbian couples.

The directive came after a magistrate in Pasquotank County on Monday refused to marry two men, citing religious objections.

Some magistrates in Alamance County also said they wouldn’t marry gay couples.

A federal judge last week struck down North Carolina’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional.

Public officials in states which have legal same-sex marriage cannot treat gay or lesbian couples differently.

Under state law, a magistrate who fails to perform his or her legal duties can face removal or suspension.

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North Carolina: Second Federal Judge Rules Same-Sex Marriage Ban Unconstitutional

From QNotes:

A federal judge in Greensboro, N.C., has ruled that the North Carolina’s anti-LGBT marriage amendment is unconstitutional, but will also allow the state’s top Republican legislative leaders to intervene in their continuing effort to defend the constitutional ban.

U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen issued his order Tuesday, following fellow federal Judge Max Cogbburn’s ruling on Friday overturning the amendment and opening legal marriage to same-gender couples across the state.

From WRAL:

Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Osteen Jr. issued an order granting requests by House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate leader Phil Berger seeking to intervene in the cases. Osteen’s order follows a separate ruling Friday by U.S. District Court Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. declaring the ban unconstitutional, triggering a rush of joyful same-sex couples getting legally married.

Osteen agreed with Cogburn that a July ruling by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia required that North Carolina’s ban must be struck down. However, he differed on whether the Republican leaders should be allowed to enter the cases. The state’s Democratic attorney general has concluded any further defense of the prohibition would be futile.

“In reaching this conclusion, this court is not expressing an opinion on the relative merits or demerits of any appeal, only that there is an appeal right that a party with arguable standing and interest has sought to preserve,” wrote Osteen, who was appointed to the bench by President George W. Bush.