same sex marriage
Co-chair of NC Common Core Commission: Same sex marriage is about promoting “perverted lifestyle choice”
In case you missed it in all of the social issues hullabaloo at the General Assembly over the past 24 hours, the good people at Equality NC have unearthed a troubling Facebook post by the co-chairperson of North Carolina’s Academic Standards Review Commission (aka the Common Core Commission). Tammy Jobin Covil, an elected New Hanover […]
House marches forward magistrates recusal bill for same-sex marriages (video)
The NC House voted 65-45 Wednesday to allow magistrates to opt out of performing wedding ceremonies for same-sex couples if they have a ‘sincerely held religious belief’ opposing such unions. Opponents of Senate Bill 2 argued the measure gives magistrates a license to discriminate, and allows employees paid by North Carolina taxpayers to decide which […]
Lawmakers to invite another lawsuit? Bill to okay discrimination by magistrates to be heard today
After it gave the bill a perfunctory review and then ignored it, there was hope that the North Carolina House had decided, smartly, to deep-six the discriminatory Senate proposal to allow North Carolina magistrates to opt out of marrying same sex couples. Now, sadly, the measure is back and scheduled to be heard in committee […]
On Kennedy, dignity and marriage equality
Start your morning with this excellent essay by Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick about instances where the wheels fell off the gay marriage opposition bus yesterday, including most notably the failure of attorneys for that side to reach the critical swing vote, Justice Anthony Kennedy, where he lives — in the world of dignity. As Lithwick points out, Kennedy […]
Recap of same-sex marriage arguments at Supreme Court
Starting at 10 a.m. , the U.S. Supreme Court begins hearing two-and-a-half hours of argument in the cases challenging state bans on same-sex marriage. Since no cameras or other audio/video equipment is allowed in the courtroom, there will be no live feed of the argument. The Court is, however, expediting the release of the taped […]
Of state “brands” and “religious freedom”
Mooresville writer John Deem is not impressed with state House Speaker Tim Moore’s recent statements about the so-called “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” and its potential impact on North Carolina’s “brand”: Speaker Moore: “I’m all about the brand, ’bout that brand, no trouble …” N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore’s promise of a pragmatic approach in deliberations […]
Not an April Fool’s joke: Wal-Mart CEO speaks out against pro-discrimination bills
No, hell has not frozen over and the following excerpt from a story in Upstart Business Journal does not appear to be an April Fools’ joke. Rather, it is the latest sure sign that troubled souls on the American religious right are, blessedly, losing the fight for the hearts and minds of the nation: “Facing […]
More newspapers weigh in against so-called “religious freedom” bills
It’s looking more and more like the the pro-discrimination bills in the North Carolina General Assembly masquerading as “religious freedom” proposals are — thank goodness — going nowhere. This morning, you can add the Greensboro News & Record and the Winston-Salem Journal to the list of major news outlets issuing condemnations. Here’s the N&R in […]
“Religious freedom” bill may not leave enough magistrates to perform marriages
Yesterday afternoon, members of the public were given an opportunity to share their thoughts on Senate Bill 2 before the House Judiciary I Committee. The bill, which would permit magistrates and registers of deeds to recuse themselves from performing same-sex marriages due to their religious beliefs, has been hotly contested since it was first introduced […]
Veteran journalist offers surprising critique of Senate’s same-sex marriage bill
The Faytteville Observer published an op-ed over the weekend by reporter Paul Woolverton in which he critiqued the bill state Senators advanced last week to set up, in effect, “separate but equal” marriages for same sex couples. Interestingly though, his focus was not on the language allowing magistrates to opt out of marriage duties due […]
Asheville judge and former magistrate explains folly of Berger’s separate-but-equal marriage bill
If you didn’t get your paper this morning because of the snow, be sure to click here to check out Asheville judge Perry Dror’s op-ed on the state Senate’s latest marriage discrimination proposal in Raleigh’s News & Observer. As Dror explains: I understand that some magistrates have felt deep concern about whether they should marry […]
Magistrates and same-sex marriage: Who defines “sincere religious belief”?
Raleigh’s News & Observer has a fine editorial this morning in which it fricassees the state Senate over the absurd bill it approved today to establish a “separate but equal” marriage system for the state. As the editorial noted: “Sworn public officials have to do their duty, and this not-so-clever bit of legislating is certain […]