Post by Logan on Mar 30, 2016 23:53:24 GMT -6
McAuliffe vetoes religious freedom bill he says 'demonizes' gay marriage
As other Southern states grapple with controversies over pending LGBT legislation, Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have created new legal protections for religious opposition to gay marriage.
The Democratic governor vetoed the Republican-backed legislation during a radio appearance on Washington’s WTOP, saying religious views are already constitutionally protected and he would not allow measures he sees as condoning discrimination.
“It’s unconstitutional. It is discriminatory. It demonizes folks. It brings fear and persecution. We can’t tolerate that,” McAuliffe said.
Senate Bill 41, which passed with party-line votes during the legislative session earlier this year and would protect ministers and religious entities from facing government-imposed penalties or civil liability over opposition to same-sex marriage, “clearly is aimed at discriminatory practices.”
Read more: www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_a38aca0c-d065-5de7-b4ab-554508327aa8.html
As other Southern states grapple with controversies over pending LGBT legislation, Gov. Terry McAuliffe vetoed a bill Wednesday that would have created new legal protections for religious opposition to gay marriage.
The Democratic governor vetoed the Republican-backed legislation during a radio appearance on Washington’s WTOP, saying religious views are already constitutionally protected and he would not allow measures he sees as condoning discrimination.
“It’s unconstitutional. It is discriminatory. It demonizes folks. It brings fear and persecution. We can’t tolerate that,” McAuliffe said.
Senate Bill 41, which passed with party-line votes during the legislative session earlier this year and would protect ministers and religious entities from facing government-imposed penalties or civil liability over opposition to same-sex marriage, “clearly is aimed at discriminatory practices.”
Read more: www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_a38aca0c-d065-5de7-b4ab-554508327aa8.html