Some Worried House Bill Targets Same Sex Couples
[gtxvideo vid=”TMKvQImh” playlist=”” pid=”XiOflQdH” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/TMKvQImh.jpg” vtitle=”Gay Marriage License”]
Some are worried that the state is continuing to target same sex couples.
The house of Representatives passed a bill would keep ministers and judges from performing marriages that go against their moral and religious beliefs.
It took four hours of debate before the house voted strongly to pass the Freedom of Religion in Marriage Protection Act.
One of the biggest opponents was the state’s only openly gay lawmaker, Patricia Todd.
She says this bill targets same sex couples across the state.
“I feel for the people that are affected by this. It says to the gay community you’re not worthy, we don’t like you, we’re going to slap you in the face. And they’ll go back home and say oh gosh, look what we did to those gay people,” said Rep. Todd.
Other democrats pitched in on the debate to show their opposition. Some were worried it could lead to discrimination against interracial couples as well.
While others call is a distraction from dealing with the $700 million shortfall in the general fund budget.
“Why in the world did we take up an entire legislative day. We only get 30. Once you burn a day you’ve burned it. So we burned an entire legislative day on a bill that does absolutely nothing for the citizens of alabama,” said Rep. Merika Coleman-Evans.
Republicans announced the bill as one of their priorities right before the session started. And for all the talk of the bill being pointless, speaker of the house mike hubbard says this is an important issue.
“I think it does accomplish things. There’s been a lot of confusion and probably more confusion to come. This simply clarifies the fact that you are a judge or a religious official you cannot be compelled to perform a ceremony against your personal beliefs,” said Speaker Mike Hubbard.
The bill will now make it’s way to the state senate for debate.
