Ohio Judge Refuses To Marry Same-Sex Couple

[DonViejo]

An Ohio judge refused to conduct a same-sex marriage in his court this week, the latest instance of local officials refusing marriages on religious grounds in the weeks after the Supreme Court legalized gay marriage nationwide.

Toledo Municipal Judge Allen McConnell, who was in the midst of a three-week stint performing civil ceremonies, refused to marry Carolyn Wilson and her partner on Monday.

“I declined to marry a non-traditional couple during my duties assignment,” McConnell said in a statement. “The declination was based upon my personal and Christian beliefs established over many years. I apologize to the couple for the delay they experienced and wish them the best.” The judge also said he’s asked the Ohio Supreme Court whether he can opt out of the rotation to avoid violating his religious beliefs.

A court administrator told Reuters that Wilson and her partner’s wedding was the first same-sex ceremony the court had been asked to perform. The couple was married by another judge after McConnell refused.

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http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/allen-mcconnell-toledo-refuses-gay-marriage

[randys1]

1. File lawsuit instantly. Put a sign in front of his house 'BIGOT LIVES HERE"

[B Calm]

2. If he can't follow the law he should resign.

[PowerToThePeople]

3. Or be removed for dereliction of duties. n/t

[RKP5637]

12. Exactly! That is what gets me about these jerks. If they can't hack the job, then quit or be

removed. They should not be taking their religious beliefs to the bench. It makes one wonder how biased they are in other decisions.

[prayin4rain]

4. Resign, asshole. n/t

[gratuitous]

5. Real Christian of you, Judge McConnell

I think we all remember the story of Jesus being approached by the Syro-Phoenician woman, and how he told her to fuck off, humiliating her in front of everyone because she wasn't Jewish. Oh wait, he didn't do that after all. Don't blame God for your prejudice and bigotry.

If you can't perform the duties of your job, perhaps you should resign. You're not just a judge for the people you like, you're a judge for all the citizens of Toledo.

[RKP5637]

13. Individuals such as he malign religion twisting it to their beliefs, whatever they

want. Then they say, god, the bible, jesus, the preacher approves of it. Someone tells me they've got religion, all the red flags go up, I don't trust them one bit.

[Warpy]

6. Then he needs to leave the bench and get himself a church and a pulpit

Hey, Yerhonor, either do your job or quit, Slick. Nobody gives a shit about your religious baggage, it has nothing to do with your secular job.

If you want it to matter more than doing your job, you need to give that job to someone who will actually do it.

[spanone]

7. so he picks and chooses what laws to enforce? isn't that special.

[PowerToThePeople]

10. It happens too much

In my state some sheriffs and police forces have said they will not enforce new gun control laws. I think they should be removed for dereliction also.

[spanone]

11. at least. so much for any oath they take.

[RKP5637]

14. Sure seems that way. Makes one wonder what other biased decisions he's made. He tilts the

scales of justice as he pleases. Very dangerous types to be in positions of authority. That is what irks me about religious people. If they've found something that makes them happy, helps them get through life, great ... but that's not enough for them, they try to then force their beliefs on everyone else. Enough of that shit, be gone!

[uppityperson]

8. Argh. I wonder if he marries people who've been divorced, or are different skin tones?

If you can't uphold the law, you shouldn't be a judge.

[phylny]

16. Exactly my thought! n/t

[Logical]

9. Asshole. nt

[tanyev]

15. Does he ask 'traditional couples' if their relationship began with either one committing adultery?

Or whether they have been 'living in sin' before the wedding? I bet not.

[etherealtruth]

17. At what point did these people (judges) decide they could ignore the law of the land?