The North Carolina House of Representatives has voted to override Gov. Pat McCrory's veto of a bill allowing public officials to opt out of marrying same-sex couples for “sincerely held religious” objections.
Last week, the state Senate voted 32-16 to override McCrory's veto.
Washington Blade reports:
McCrory, a Republican who opposes same-sex marriage, vetoed the bill after the legislature initially sent it to him earlier this month, saying “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.”
Although the legislation doesn't explicitly mention same-sex marriage and would require a magistrate to abstain from performing marriages until a recusal is rescinded, opponents of the bill say the legislation would have a discriminatory impact on same-sex couples.
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, executive director of the pro-LGBT Campaign for Southern Equality, predicted LGBT advocates would seeks to challenge the law in the courts.
“Senate Bill 2 is unconstitutional, and will undoubtedly be challenged in court. This bill, which will now become law, is discriminatory and treats gay and lesbian couples as second class citizens. We are more determined than ever to achieve full equality for LGBT people in North Carolina and to ensure that LGBT youth know that they are not alone,”
And if you have not already done so, be sure to check out Rachel Maddow's expert analysis of the dangerous implications of SB 2 HERE.
