A gay couple together 31 years was
refused a wedding ceremony on Monday in North Carolina.
According to The
Virginian-Pilot, William Locklear and Randall Jackson were
turned away by a magistrate at the Elizabeth City county courthouse.
“He said, 'I won't be performing your
marriage because of my religious beliefs,'” Locklear told the
paper.
“He has to do his job,” Locklear
added. “He is not there to preach to us.”
Monday was the first full day after a
federal judge struck down North Carolina's ban on gay marriage late
Friday. Though licenses are being issued, state GOP leaders have
vowed to continue fighting for the ban in two separate cases.
(Related: United
Church of Christ cheers ruling striking down North Carolina's gay
marriage ban.)
Locklear and Jackson were married
Tuesday by a different magistrate.