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[Ekdrm2d1]

By Mike Ward | Tuesday, April 11, 2017 | chron.com

AUSTIN -- Legislation that would allow county clerks in Texas to decline to issue same-sex marriage licenses if it conflicts with their religious beliefs was tentatively approved Tuesday by the Texas Senate.

State Sen. Brian Birdwell, a Granbury Republican who authored the measure, said the Senate Bill 522 would allow clerks to recuse themselves from issuing a same-sex license and would instead assign their duties to other clerks, a judge or even a special clerk.

The vote was 21-10, mostly along party lines. A final vote is expected within a few days.

"This provides a way for clerks to exercise their profoundly held religious beliefs under the First Amendment, and at the same time protect the rights of couples who are coming in for a marriage license," Birdwell said. "Right now, there is not an alternate mechanism for a clerk who is not willing to issue a license because of their sincerely held beliefs."

Several Democrats questioned whether the law was necessary -- or could perhaps trigger new discrimination. They questioned whether the change could make it more difficult for same-sex couples to get licenses in some counties.

"I'm afraid we're opening up a box of unintended consequences," said Sen. Jose Menendez, D-San Antonio.

"If we don't do this we are discriminating against those people of faith," Birdwell replied. "This bill protects the constitutional issues for both sides."

Sen. Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston, questioned who the bill was supposed to protect.

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/...same-sex-marriage-license-change-11066029.php

Bill: http://www.legis.state.tx.us/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=85R&Bill=SB522

 

[Corronchilejano]

The assholishness continues. Is there a provision in case they "can't find" a willing clerk?

 

[theWB27]

Its discrimination to have people do their jobs? Because they want to keep using religion as a weapon?

 

[mackattk]

discriminating against people of faith...in a public government office.... fuck separation of church and state, right guys?

 

[Frozenprince]

"Discriminated against people of faith"

Last I checked religious creed is covered under any and all legal protections acts.

It's almost like this has a, gasp, ulterior motive.

 

[TheOfficeMut]

You don't hire someone to do a job who can't do the job because of personal grievances. I don't know how someone can say "we are discriminating against those people of faith" by not allowing them to discriminate against gay people because of their own beliefs.

I hate this country.

 

[RPGCrazied]

And this is why they wanted Gorsuch. They so want to overturn gay marriage. You can just see it.

 

[Skellig Gra]

On the one hand I think it's not horrible to recuse yourself and let someone else do it. The seems to be the most tolerant of the "against my beliefs" solutions. On the other hand if everyone in the courthouse is religious then the same sex couples are screwed.

And this is why they wanted Gorsuch. They so want to overturn gay marriage. You can just see it.

Not gonna happen. They'd need another conservative judge to be appointed.

 

[darkwing]

sad thing is, people voted for this to happen, this is just a small start

 

[Ekdrm2d1]

I'm fuming. Fuck this

 

[GrandHarrier]

What is the definition of a "sincerely held belief"? Is it possible for that to extend to literally anything? If I start avoiding the number 3 because I feel it has magic power can I refuse to help the 3rd couple wanting a marriage certificate each day?

 

[mackattk]

You don't hire someone to do a job who can't do the job because of personal grievances. I don't know how someone can say "we are discriminating against those people of faith" by not allowing them to discriminate against gay people because of their own beliefs.

I hate this country.

There is a reason I am not a doctor, there is a reason I am not a NASCAR driver.. It is because I can't do the job. Likewise, if clerks can't do their job, then they need to resign and find something else that they can do.

On the one hand I think it's not horrible to recuse yourself and let someone else do it. The seems to be the most tolerant of the "against my beliefs" solutions. On the other hand if everyone in the courthouse is religious then the same sex couples are screwed.

Yeah, They can just hire clerks who have a fundamental disagreement with same-sex marriages and.. surprise surprise there is no one there to do it now.

 

[tkscz]

Why is it the states can ignore the constitution when they want to? No mixture of government and church means fuck your religion, this is a government job and you'll do your job. What they are doing is unconstitutional and they should get in trouble for it.

 

[Carpe Carnim]

I eagerly await the shit show when the first Muslim clerk refuses to issue an alcohol license, or permit a pig farm.

Not that I think that a person of Islamic faith would do something so petty, but I would encourage someone to set the precedent and we can begin the long slog to SCOTUS.

 

[Skellig Gra]

Why is it the states can ignore the constitution when they want to? No mixture of government and church means fuck your religion, this is law. What they are doing is unconstitutional and they should get in trouble for it.

Someone has to sue. Courts don't just pre-emptively make rulings on newly minted state laws.

 

[kmfdmpig]

That's ridiculous. If someone is so narrow minded that their own religious views interfere with them doing their job then they should find a different job.

 

[Seth Enosh]

I eagerly await the shit show when the first Muslim clerk refuses to issue an alcohol license, or permit a pig farm.

Not that I think that a person of Islamic faith would do something so petty, but I would encourage someone to set the precedent and we can begin the long slog to SCOTUS.

I wouldn't be so sure. That makes me think of this:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2827800&page=1
Muslim Cab Drivers Refuse to Transport Alcohol, and Dogs (Jan 2007)

"There are times where cab after cab will refuse service, and passengers can be waiting for 20 minutes," says Patrick Hogan, spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission. "We've had complaints of people being asked if they had any alcoholic beverages in their luggage."​

 

[Alienfan]

Religious Republicans continue to be the most special snow flakes of them all

 

[Slayven]

Is Texas a right to work state? Funny how they choose to protect worker's rights

 

[Skellig Gra]

I wouldn't be so sure. That makes me think of this:

http://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=2827800&page=1
Muslim Cab Drivers Refuse to Transport Alcohol, and Dogs (Jan 2007)

"There are times where cab after cab will refuse service, and passengers can be waiting for 20 minutes," says Patrick Hogan, spokesman for the Metropolitan Airports Commission. "We've had complaints of people being asked if they had any alcoholic beverages in their luggage."​

Yeah exactly, let's not pretend like Christians have cornered the market on religious stupidity.

 

[Ekdrm2d1]

Texas conservatives hold controversial cake-cutting over gay marriage ban

Texas lawmakers joined conservative leaders at the Capitol for a controversial slice of symbolic wedding cake yesterday, in a 10th anniversary celebration of a constitutional amendment that defined Texas marriages as "the union of one man and one woman."

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/...aders-celebrate-ten-years-without-6101014.php

 

[le.phat]

Human rights getting trampled because 'religion', sounds familiar....

 

[le.phat]

Yeah exactly, let's not pretend like Christians have cornered the market on religious stupidity.

Difference being that the US is considered a first world society, allthough i have a feeling that this badge might need to be returned to the rest of the western world pretty soon.

 

[tkscz]

Texas conservatives hold controversial cake-cutting over gay marriage ban





http://www.chron.com/news/politics/...aders-celebrate-ten-years-without-6101014.php

constitutional amendment

There is no constitutional amendment granted to a single state shit. PLUS that would directly be a contradiction of the first amendment, which prohibits laws being made to protect religious actions, including using religious beliefs in a government job to not serve someone. I swear if these fuckers use the first amendment to justify this...

 

[Maledict]

Um, states have their own constitutions. Many passed amendments around gay marriage in 2004 and around that era.

 

[TumblingHippo]

Texas conservatives would copy Russian lgbt death camps if they thought they could get away with it.

They're gonna keep pushing all of this and if another Justice goes on the SCOTUS we're fucked for decades.

 

[Derwind]

Can I refuse to serve a County Clerk that cited religious grounds as a way to refuse service to same sex couples?

Or will I now be discriminated against?

Can you deny me my beliefs?

Seriously though, Texas can get fucked. If you cant tolerate discrimination than that must mean you discriminate against discrimination... sound fucking logic there.

 

[ahoyhoy]

There is no constitutional amendment granted to a single state shit. PLUS that would directly be a contradiction of the first amendment, which prohibits laws being made to protect religious actions, including using religious beliefs in a government job to not serve someone. I swear if these fuckers use the first amendment to justify this...

States have constitutions too, and those can be amended.

This is also from 2015 so everything about this is outdated. SCOTUS decision based on the US Constitution trumps anything at the state level.

 

[Armaros]

And this is why they wanted Gorsuch. They so want to overturn gay marriage. You can just see it.

Gorsuch just replaced an already no vote, the breakdown on gay marriage within the court is still the same.

 

[Polioliolio]

Oh fuck off republican senate.

What if it's my religious beliefs that all conservatives should be launched to the moon? If my ridiculous beliefs aren't honored, am I being discriminated against?

Is there no such thing as separation of church and state? Was history rewritten? Why are these people tolerated?

One of these parties is so pre-Stone Age and it's so stupid, the way they function, it's absolutely baffling. BAFFLING.

Religion is old, tribal, mind numbingly inadequate to address actual intrinsic human morality. Religion is a memetic parasite that is more often than not, utterly contrary to the survival of individuals. It's contrary to the well being of all Americans and all people the world over, even those who think it's doing them good.

Young people, please stop putting people into office who care about no one but those in their own 'group'. Laws should serve every individual. To know that these conservatives feel victimized by someone else's declaration of REAL discrimination, is insane. They do the same thing with Black Lives Matter. They can't stand the idea that someone other than them is voicing a concern about actual prejudice, and they counter by calling THAT discrimination. Who listens to this and thinks "Yeah, that sounds about right"?

 

[SlickShoesRUCrazy]

Why are Republicans always pieces of shit?

 

[DrBo42]

And they call liberals snowflakes. LOL. Do your fucking jobs you petty ass Christians.

 

[The Jackdog]

i dont get it.

"are you okay issuing certificates for same sex marriage"
"no"
"okay thats part of the job, so, bye"

should be THAT SIMPLE.

what job interview can i walk in and say "i refuse to do a part of this job cause my religion"

 

[adamsappel]

On the one hand I think it's not horrible to recuse yourself and let someone else do it. The seems to be the most tolerant of the "against my beliefs" solutions. On the other hand if everyone in the courthouse is religious then the same sex couples are screwed.

And in these southern towns, the atheists are often on the down-low. "Jerry, I thought you were a good Christian!" That could affect job performance evaluations, etc.

 

[Master Yoshi]

Disgusting.

 

[aeolist]

On the one hand I think it's not horrible to recuse yourself and let someone else do it. The seems to be the most tolerant of the "against my beliefs" solutions. On the other hand if everyone in the courthouse is religious then the same sex couples are screwed.


Not gonna happen. They'd need another conservative judge to be appointed.

ginsburg will retire or die any day now, the next two will be kennedy and breyer. scotus is going to be heavily conservative for the next 20 or so years.

 

[GameAddict411]

This is going to be overturned by a federal judge. They can celebrate and create as many anti gay marriage bills or laws as they want. they won't succeed.

 

[MarionCB]

This is simply pandering to bigotry.

It's simple: if you won't fulfill the duties of a County Clerk, you don't get to be one. If your deeply held bigotry is so important to you, then resign or don't seek this public office in the first place.

There's no way this is constitutional either, and I stand by that even if the SC somehow upholds it.

 

[Ekdrm2d1]

Oh fuck off republican senate.

What if it's my religious beliefs that all conservatives should be launched to the moon? If my ridiculous beliefs aren't honored, am I being discriminated against?

Is there no such thing as separation of church and state? Was history rewritten? Why are these people tolerated?

One of these parties is so pre-Stone Age and it's so stupid, the way they function, it's absolutely baffling. BAFFLING.

Religion is old, tribal, mind numbingly inadequate to address actual intrinsic human morality. Religion is a memetic parasite that is more often than not, utterly contrary to the survival of individuals. It's contrary to the well being of all Americans and all people the world over, even those who think it's doing them good.

Young people, please stop putting people into office who care about no one but those in their own 'group'. Laws should serve every individual. To know that these conservatives feel victimized by someone else's declaration of REAL discrimination, is insane. They do the same thing with Black Lives Matter. They can't stand the idea that someone other than them is voicing a concern about actual prejudice, and they counter by calling THAT discrimination. Who listens to this and thinks "Yeah, that sounds about right"?

Said a variant of this 3 hours ago.

Spoiler

Because Christianity is the "religion of the United States".

 

[RPGCrazied]

Not gonna happen. They'd need another conservative judge to be appointed.

Gorsuch just replaced an already no vote, the breakdown on gay marriage within the court is still the same.

Well, one of the judges is like 85 years old? Never say never. And now that the Republicans went nuclear, they don't need 60 votes. Expect a worse judge next.

 

[JimJamJones]

If we don't do this we are discriminating against those people of faith

Then they should get a different job.

 

[SwiftDeath]

This is intended just to create structural difficulty for same sex marriage at a system level.

Gross

 

[mackattk]

i dont get it.

"are you okay issuing certificates for same sex marriage"
"no"
"okay thats part of the job, so, bye"

should be THAT SIMPLE.

what job interview can i walk in and say "i refuse to do a part of this job cause my religion"

I want to work at Google make $200k/yr and be a computer programmer. It is against my religion to use a computer.. I don't get the job?!? WHY AM I BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST??

 

[Ekdrm2d1]

I want to work at Google make $200k/yr and be a computer programmer. It is against my religion to use a computer.. I don't get the job?!? WHY AM I BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST??

:lol

 

[so1337]

"If we don't do this we are discriminating against those people of faith," Birdwell replied. "This bill protects the constitutional issues for both sides."

Actually, you are protecting the people who are discriminating in the first place.

 

[SiegfriedFM]

Meanwhile in Sweden, a nurse who refused to work with abortions because of her religious beliefs and thus wasn't given the job, has been turned down in the highest court, as they have decided that the hospitals did NOT discriminate against her.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Actually, you are protecting the people who are discriminating in the first place.

It's only discrimination if it's against white Christian evangelicals. With everyone else you're just pulling a "*Insert minority group* card"

 

[ahoyhoy]

I want to work at Google make $200k/yr and be a computer programmer. It is against my religion to use a computer.. I don't get the job?!? WHY AM I BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST??

Can't wait for Jehovahs Witnesses to become surgeons and refuse to give transfusions to car crash victims.

 

[Socivol]

What brand of Christianity do these "conservative' Christians ascribe to? The Christianity that I know is a lot more inclusive of others with differing beliefs and how you should help everyone.

 

[Armaros]

Well, one of the judges is like 85 years old? Never say never. And now that the Republicans went nuclear, they don't need 60 votes. Expect a worse judge next.

That still doesn't mean gorsuch gives them the opportunity to do this.