Oregon Judge Refuses To Perform Same-Sex Marriages
Once again, we have a public official -- a government official -- claiming he cannot perform his assigned duties under the Constitution and therefore trying to make himself into a martyr. Spare me the crocodile tears for him.
Marion County Circuit Judge Vance Day, a former chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, took steps Thursday to create a legal defense fund in an apparent response to his decision not to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.
Day took action because of what he described as "deeply-held religious beliefs," KGW reported.
"It's an exercise of his religious freedom rights under the First Amendment," Day spokesman Patrick Korten told the news station.
In recent months, Day has not performed any marriage ceremonies, KGW reported. His courtroom is in Salem.
The Oregon Government Ethics Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve Day's request to establish a legal defense fund.