Some deputy court clerks in Maryland
have opted out of performing marriages rather than serve gay couples
as the state's marriage equality law comes into effect on Tuesday.
The law was approved by lawmakers and
upheld by 52 percent of voters on November 6.
According to The
Washington Examiner, some clerks in the St. Mary's County
Circuit Court will pass on their marriage duties to other employees.
“There are some [deputy clerks] that
have voiced some opposition to doing it – [they have] religious
feelings about it … so it's basically my idea that they won't do
any marriage[s] at all,” said Joan Williams, clerk of the St.
Mary's County Circuit Court. “Some people are just very against
same-sex marriages, and I have to respect their reasons and their
decisions.”
Carrie Evans, executive director of
Equality Maryland, which lobbied for passage of the measure, said
changing which deputy clerks perform marriages is acceptable.
(Related: Trolley
company ends wedding business rather than serve gay couples.)