On January 28, North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger introduced the “Magistrates Recusal of Civil Ceremonies” Bill (Senate Bill 2) in
the General Assembly. This bill would allow magistrates and registers
of deeds to recuse themselves from performing their duties related to
marriage ceremonies. Berger promised to introduce this legislation
immediately after two federal judges ruled that North Carolina's
same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional in October. The bill was sent to the House on February 27 and is now soon to be acted upon by the House Judiciary I Committee.
Equality NC has condemned the bill as a “license to discriminate,” and Susan Ladd, writing for the Greensboro News and Record, has called it the “new Jim Crow” as it would also allow court officials to recuse themselves “based upon any sincerely held religious objection” - including objections to interracial marriage. As Ladd notes: “My husband and I still could marry legally, of course, but only on certain hours of certain days by a magistrate who doesn’t find our union objectionable. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Contact the committee members of House Judiciary I and ask them to oppose this bill and any related legislation that would allow court officials to recuse themselves of their civil duty under law.
Take Action!
Equality NC has condemned the bill as a “license to discriminate,” and Susan Ladd, writing for the Greensboro News and Record, has called it the “new Jim Crow” as it would also allow court officials to recuse themselves “based upon any sincerely held religious objection” - including objections to interracial marriage. As Ladd notes: “My husband and I still could marry legally, of course, but only on certain hours of certain days by a magistrate who doesn’t find our union objectionable. Doesn’t that sound nice?”
Contact the committee members of House Judiciary I and ask them to oppose this bill and any related legislation that would allow court officials to recuse themselves of their civil duty under law.
No comments:
Post a Comment