ASHEVILLE, North Carolina — Three couples are suing the state of North Carolina over gay “marriage” discrimination that apparently isn’t happening.
The lawsuit targets protections for magistrates who oppose same-sex “marriage” on religious grounds and don’t want to be forced to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. The state Legislature passed the bill protecting religious convictions of state employees in early 2015.
The bill outlines a process for magistrates to declare a religious objection to participating in same-sex unions.
Three couples are now suing over potential discrimination. They say the bill places religious belief above the obligations of magistrates to carry out their duties.
As of September 2015, 5 percent of the state’s approximately 670 magistrates have filed recusal paperwork for protections under the new law. But the law’s supporters note no couple has been unable to marry because of magistrates’ objections.
(BP)
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