McCrory Vetoes Marriage Bill For Magistrates

North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory has vetoed a bill that would have allowed magistrates and Register of Deeds employees to opt out of performing same-sex marriages because of their religious beliefs.

Civil rights groups say they're encouraged by the governor's decision.

In a statement, McCrory says no public official who swore an oath to uphold the Constitution should be exempt from upholding that oath and discharging all of the duties of their offices.

The bill, sponsored by Senate leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) passed in the House Thursday. Supporters say it protects religious freedom and ensures that the civil ceremonies will take place.

But Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, director of the Campaign for Southern Equality, says the legislation is a direct response to the legalization of same-sex marriages in North Carolina last year.

“We believe that it is unconstitutional and would invite new legal challenges and that is problematic because it harms same-sex couples across the state,” says Beach-Ferrara. “The legislation would establish a system of secondhand citizenship at the marriage license counter, and I think it's important that people of different faiths are speaking out that this bill is not about religious freedom, it's about discrimination.”

It would take a three-fifths vote from the state House to override McCrory's veto.

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