As many as 14 Alabama counties have probate judges who are refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. "As a probate judge, I am currently compelled, and I believe wrongfully, to issue federally-created same-sex marriage licenses or face an onerous federal civil rights action," John Enslen, an Elmore County judge, wrote in his petition to the Alabama Supreme Court.
A group of over sixty prominent legal scholars have released a statement calling on public officials and American citizens to resist the US Supreme Court’s ruling last term in the Obergefell v Hodges case that falsely claimed to redefine marriage for every state in the nation. The scholars said that the Obergefell ruling is "lacking anything remotely resembling a warrant in the text, logic, structure, or original understanding of the Constitution" and "must be judged anti-constitutional and illegitimate."
A bill that would protect churches in Florida who refuse to host a wedding or reception based on religious beliefs won its first approval Wednesday. While pastors and lawmakers acknowledged the state and federal constitutions protect churches, some pastors expressed fear that a future legal decision could diminish that protection and praised the bill for giving them added protection. The bill has one more committee stop before it can be considered by the full House.
Hillary Rodham Clinton says that jail was the "right thing" for a Kentucky clerk who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Speaking in Iowa Wednesday, the Democratic presidential hopeful said Rowan County Clerk Kim Davis was "treated as she should have been treated."
A transgender student who wanted to use the boy’s bathroom and locker room at her school in Nevada was recently denied permission to do so by the school board. The American Civil Liberties Union has threatened legal action, claiming the school board action violates state and federal anti-discrimination laws. So far, three state lawmakers have weighed in on the issue in support of the school board.
In Massachusetts, the "LGBT" lobby has introduced a new bill to protect transvestites from discrimination. Bill H1577 (with an identical Senate version S735) would force transgenderism, cross-dressing, and similar behaviors on all businesses and other public accommodations. There will be a public hearing at the Massachusetts State House today, from 1-5 pm.
Apple Inc.’s chief executive, Tim Cook, said the United States still has a long way to go in the fight for "gay rights." The country hasn’t achieved equality, despite the Obergefell ruling, he said Saturday night in a speech to the Human Rights Campaign in Washington, D.C. "Discrimination doesn’t simply fade. It has to be pushed back, challenged, overcome, and then kept at bay," He said.
At a recent conference on homosexuality, Dr. Albert Mohler voiced his opinion on psychological counseling for homosexuals, saying that in many cases same-sex attraction cannot be flipped like a switch. "By God's grace, that might happen over time as a sign of God's work within the life of that individual. But ... for many, many people struggling with these patterns of sin, it will be a lifelong battle," he said.
On Saturday, Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered the strongest speech in support of "gay rights" in the 2016 presidential race. "I see the injustices and the dangers that you and your families still face," she told hundreds of homosexual activists at the annual meeting of the Human Rights Campaign. "I'm running for president to stand up for the fundamental rights of LGBT Americans."
Vice President Joe Biden is throwing his unequivocal support behind letting transgender people serve openly in the U.S. military, as the Obama administration considers whether and when to lift the longstanding ban. "No longer is there any question transgender people are able to serve in the United States military," Biden said. He later remarked, "It's simple. All Americans are qualified to serve, should be able to serve."
The State agency that ordered an Oregon Christian couple to pay two lesbians $135,000 for refusing to take part in their homosexual "wedding" has begun legal proceedings to seize the couple’s assets. "Our agency has docketed the judgment and is exploring collection options," said Charlie Burr, communications director for The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.
The State agency that ordered an Oregon Christian couple to pay two lesbians $135,000 for refusing to take part in their homosexual "wedding" has begun legal proceedings to seize the couple’s assets. "Our agency has docketed the judgment and is exploring collection options," said Charlie Burr, communications director for The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries.
Lawyers who persuaded a judge nearly a year ago to "overturn" Arizona's same-sex "marriage" ban will receive $200,000 from the state to cover attorney fees and other costs in bringing the legal challenge. Federal law lets those who prevail in civil rights cases seek compensation for the costs of bringing such lawsuits to court.
Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff in the landmark Supreme Court case that purported to redefine marriage, is publicly calling out Kim Davis, the Kentucky clerk who’s been resisting that opinion. In an open letter, Obergefell told Davis that "Love transcends gender," and "No one is above the law, Kim, not even you." Although this article by MSNBC is grossly incorrect about the legal implications of the Obergefell opinion, it nevertheless provides some helpful information.
In this article, Eunie Smith and Dr. John H. Killian call upon the Supreme Court of Alabama to affirm it's support for the law and disregard the lawless Obergefell opinion. They say, "The Alabama Supreme Court should act immediately to protect the sincerely held religious beliefs of our citizens and the sanctity of the institution of marriage – as adopted by 81% of Alabama voters. They should not leave the citizens of Alabama to wonder, 'Where is the Supreme Court of Alabama?'"
Aaron and Melissa Klein, the owners of a Portland-area bakery who refused on religious grounds to bake a "wedding" cake for a lesbian couple, are fighting a court order to pay the offended couple $135,000 in damages; Oregon officials said on Wednesday. Oregon's Bureau of Labor and Industries spokesman Charlie Burr said the agency is exploring options for collecting the money.
MARICOPA, Ariz. — A member of the Ak-Chin Indian Community in a same-sex relationship is suing the tribe to recognize the union. Cleo Pablo filed her lawsuit Wednesday in the Ak-Chin Indian Community Court, alleging violations of equal protection, the Indian Civil Rights Act and due process. She says she's been denied rights and benefits granted to heterosexual couples.
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear's lawyers are using the words "absurd," ''forlorn" and "obtuse" to describe the legal arguments Rowan County Clerk Kim Davi has used to avoid issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples. "Simply stated, Davis' role is a legal one — not a moral or religious one," Beshear's attorneys wrote in the court document.
In 2013, Russia passed an amendment prohibiting "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations to minors." Western governments, led by the United States, condemned the law as out of step with modern societies. On Sunday, the Russian President defended the law. “I believe we should leave kids in peace,” Putin said. “We should give them a chance to grow, help them to realize who they are and decide for themselves.”
A dozen corporations are joining a new coalition to push for "LGBT rights" globally. The coalition members include the consulting firm Accenture, AT&T Inc., CA Technologies, Coca-Cola, Destination Weddings Travel Group, Google, IBM, Microsoft, home furnishings maker Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, consumer products giant Procter & Gamble Co., china and glassware company Replacements Ltd., and Symantec Corp.
Bryan Fischer weighs in on the firing of Dr. Paul Church from a Boston hospital for declaring that homosexuality is unhealthy and immoral. He says, "I’ve often made the point that the homosexual agenda represents the biggest threat to religious liberty in our nation’s history. This is for the simple reason that every advance of the homosexual agenda comes at the expense of religious liberty. As the gay agenda advances, religious liberty is forced into retreat."
On Sunday, President Obama attacked GOP candidates who oppose homosexual behavior and same-sex "marriage." He said, "America has left the leaders of the Republican Party behind. We need to reject politicians who are supporting new forms of discrimination as a way to scare up votes. That's not how we move America forward."
After Pope Francis failed to emphasize important issues such as marriage and human life in his recent visit to the U.S., Conservative Evangelicals such as Al Mohler and Russell Moore are concerned that Francis is moving the Catholic Church to the left. Al Mohler sees Francis as "an example of leadership that does not define the issues, an example of leadership that moves from theology to piety, an example of leadership that doesn’t bring up the awkward questions and doesn’t lean into the hard issues where the truth has to be defined and defended."
The 72-year-old florist who is being persecuted by pro-homosexual activists and the state of Washington has said that the institutional campaign against her "isn’t real to me." In March, Barronelle Stutzman was fined $1,001 for not providing flowers for a same-sex "wedding." However, the financial penalties could go much further, even to the point of consuming her personal assets. Stutzman’s attorney, Kellie Fiedorek, said that "right now, we’re appealing her case to the Washington Supreme Court."
The 72-year-old florist who is being persecuted by pro-homosexual activists and the state of Washington has said that the institutional campaign against her "isn’t real to me." In March, Barronelle Stutzman was fined $1,001 for not providing flowers for a same-sex "wedding." However, the financial penalties could go much further, even to the point of consuming her personal assets. Stutzman’s attorney, Kellie Fiedorek, said that "right now, we’re appealing her case to the Washington Supreme Court."