Local counties to end courthouse weddings to avoid marrying gays (Florida)

[brooklynite]

First Coast News:

Couples who wanted to skip the pomp and circumstance of a wedding and get married at the Duval, Clay or Baker county courthouses will no longer have that option in the new year.

These counties' decision to end the long-standing tradition of courthouse wedding ceremonies is due, at least in part, to the continued debate over same-sex marriage in Florida against the backdrop of conservative Christianity. U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle could rule any day and make gay marriage legal across the state.

If same-sex marriage is allowed, Duval Clerk of Courts Ronnie Fussell, Clay Clerk Tara Green and Baker Clerk Stacie Harvey will have no choice but to issue marriage licenses to gay couples. But to avoid performing ceremonies for them, these clerks have decided to end all courthouse weddings.

The clerks said multiple factors contributed to the decision to end courthouse weddings, with gay marriage being just one of them. And they now said the new policies will take effect no matter what the courts decide about gay marriage.

Well, that'll teach -- um, somebody -- a lesson...

[Capt. Obvious]

1. This quote

The clerks said multiple factors contributed to the decision to end courthouse weddings, with gay marriage being just one of them.

The others being:

- Men kissing men
- Women kissing women

[niyad]

2. can they be fired for not performing their jobs? is conducting marriage ceremonies a part of

their job descriptions?

[djean111]

3. Law firm to marry gay couples after courthouse stops ceremonies....

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/2015/01/02/law-firm-to-marry-gay-couples-after-courthouse-stops-ceremonies/21192277/

[bvf]

4. That's very laudable of them in one sense

However, it's a slight distraction from the obvious question posed by the OP, which is, "Why do these civil servants still have their jobs?".

[cbayer]

6. Well, that's good news. At least there are alternatives.

[bvf]

9. There shouldn't be a need for alternatives

unless you think a person's belief system is a valid reason for denying others' human rights.

[cbayer]

5. What a bunch of BS. What if someone wants a secular marriage?

What are they supposed to do?

[JimDandy]

7. Wonder if this crosses the state/religion line,

if couples no longer have access to secular weddings in these counties?

[cbayer]

8. Really good question. I don't know enough about this to know what the

alternatives may be.

When I was growing up, I think the only alternatives were church or justice of the peace.

But I think that has changed. People can become "ordained" on-line simply by paying a fee and, from what I understand, they are able to officiate weddings.

[hrmjustin]

10. Marriage equality needs to be legal everywhere.

I want to be able to get married in all the states.


The RW needs to just get over it.

[cbayer]

11. Yep and I think it will happen in our lifetimes.

This little stunt is going to backfire on them, imo and have absolutely no impact on GLBT marriage rates.