Public officials in Tennessee can now refuse to grant a marriage license to anyone at their own discretion, for any reason.

Public officials in Tennessee can now refuse to grant a marriage license to anyone at their own discretion, for any reason.

Republican Gov. Bill Lee signed into law House Bill 878 on Wednesday, which took effect immediately. The bill — just a few sentences in length — only states that “a person shall not be required to solemnize a marriage.” Only state notary publics, government officials, and religious figures can “solemnize” a marriage in Tennessee, according to state code.

None of the sponsors behind the bill have been made public statements on its introduction or passage, nor have they given comment to media organizations. The only known remarks regarding the law from state Rep. Monty Fritts (take a guess), who sponsored it in the House, are from February of last year, when he spoke to the state Subcommittee on Children and Family Affairs.

  • TWeaK@lemm.eeEnglish
    9·
    9 months ago

    I’m sure the remaining officiants that will perform ceremonies for same sex couples will make themselves known and they will be busy.

    Unfortunately they will also likely be targeted by extremists.

    Also, it doesn’t skirt federal law, per the article:

    the Constitution prohibits public officials from discriminating against members of the public based on their personal beliefs

    This might not cover all officiants, eg priests, but it covers state notary publics and government officials, which is really all this law is targeting anyway (I think religious people could already refuse).

    • phx@lemmy.ca
      3·
      9 months ago

      Oh but they’ll still try, and it’ll end up dragging through court just like the last removed that tried to object on religious grounds (y’know, the one that was divorced multiple times)