County Employees Will Not Be Forced To Perform Same-Sex Marriage Ceremonies

While the California Supreme Court has legalized same-sex marriage (see prior posting), San Diego county will not force objecting employees to perform same-sex ceremonies. Yesterday's San Diego Union-Tribune reports that County Assessor-Recorder-Clerk Greg Smith has told the 115 employees who are deputized to conduct ceremonies to inform him if they have objections. Smith says it would not be fair to same-sex couples to have their weddings performed by someone who objects to the ceremony. County Counsel says, however, that objecting employees must have "legitimate religious or moral reasons" for refusing.