|
The bill, approved by 88-7 in the state House of
Representatives, would protect clergy members from any civil
claim or cause of action if they refuse to preside over or
recognize a marriage of same-sex couples because of their
conscience or religious beliefs. The measure next goes to the
state Senate for consideration.
The bill's sponsor, Republican Representative David Brumbaugh,
said many pastors asked for the legislation after a federal
judge overturned Oklahoma's ban on gay marriage in January 2014.
The ministers are concerned about being sued under public
accommodation laws if they turn away same-sex couples who want
to marry, he said.
"It's not about discrimination or anything like that, it's just
that we want to make sure they were protected," Brumbaugh said.
Brumbaugh said he was not sure if any states had approved
similar bills.
The bill is one of several proposals before the
Republican-dominated Oklahoma Legislature intended to protect
the interests of people who object to the lifting of the gay
marriage ban.
Gay rights supporters have said they would challenge the
proposed measures in court if they become law.
(Reporting by Kevin Murphy in Kansas City, Mo.; Editing by David
Bailey and Peter Cooney)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2015 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |
|
