CA County clerk refuses to perform gay marriages
“We have the news media calling for her response, and we need to issue a news release today, but she really needs to be assured of your legal assistance before she speaks to them, as we fully expect to be sued and our own counsel is not being of help.”
Excerpt from an e-mail from Assistant Clerk Glenn Spencer to a conservative Christian group, Alliance Defense Fund, seeking legal assistance for Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett. It is reported that Barnett and her office will continue to process marriage licenses for heterosexual and same-sex couples but will refuse to perform any civil ceremonies for either beginning June 13 — just four days before gay marriages become legal in the state of California. (LA Times)
“Because of long-term administrative plans, budgetary reasons and the need to increase security for the election, the clerk’s office will cease solemnizing weddings, which is discretionary on the part of the county clerk.”
Portion of a statement released by Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett regarding her decision to stop officiating over any civil unions before gay marriages are slated to begin to be legally recognized in California. (LA Times)
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