Post by pavel on Feb 12, 2016 8:11:15 GMT -6
ATLANTA — Georgia House lawmakers on Thursday approved a bill explicitly stating that religious officials can refuse to perform gay marriages, their first significant action on a variety of proposals creating legal exemptions for same-sex marriage opponents.
Supporters of the “Pastor Protection Act” acknowledge that religious leaders already have that protection under the U.S. Constitution, but argue it will reassure them after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively legalized gay marriage.
The ruling has prompted at least eight bills that would create exemptions for opponents of the marriages in Georgia, one of more than 20 states where lawmakers have introduced such proposals, the ACLU has said.
The Georgia bill shielding religious officials moved quickly through the House with backing from Speaker David Ralston and little resistance from gay-rights advocates and business leaders who have opposed broader bills. However, Ralston was criticized by some Republican lawmakers and evangelical groups when he questioned the need for other measures, including versions of the federal “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-02-11/georgia-house-oks-pastor-protection-bill?v=1455220071
Supporters of the “Pastor Protection Act” acknowledge that religious leaders already have that protection under the U.S. Constitution, but argue it will reassure them after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling effectively legalized gay marriage.
The ruling has prompted at least eight bills that would create exemptions for opponents of the marriages in Georgia, one of more than 20 states where lawmakers have introduced such proposals, the ACLU has said.
The Georgia bill shielding religious officials moved quickly through the House with backing from Speaker David Ralston and little resistance from gay-rights advocates and business leaders who have opposed broader bills. However, Ralston was criticized by some Republican lawmakers and evangelical groups when he questioned the need for other measures, including versions of the federal “Religious Freedom Restoration Act.”
Read more: chronicle.augusta.com/news/government/2016-02-11/georgia-house-oks-pastor-protection-bill?v=1455220071