A town clerk in upstate New York, Laura Fotusky, resigned her position rather than compromise her religious belief that marriage should be between a man and a woman

“There was no protection provided in (New York’s) legislation for town clerks unable to sign these marriage licenses due to personal religious convictions,” Fotusky said. “I had to choose between my job and my God.”

New York legalized same-sex marriage in June. On July 24 the law takes effect and obligates town clerks to officiate same-sex marriage. The law provides protection for religious professionals, such as pastors, but fails to protect common citizens who morally disagree with the law. Clerks who refuse service to same-sex couples can be sued.

Gov. Cuomo said elected officials must abide by the rules of the state. “The law is the law,” he said. “When you enforce the laws of the state, you don’t get to pick and choose.”

Holly Carmichael, of the Alliance Defense Fund, said the law, “conflicts with fundamental American religious freedoms.”

The Alliance Defense Fund argues that the law also conflicts with New York’s Human Rights Law and Domestic Relations Law. These laws protect workers from acting in conflict with their sincerely held religious beliefs.

Citing her own sincerely held beliefs, Fotusky said, “I believe there is a higher law than the law of the land. It is the law of God in the Bible. In Acts 5:29, it states, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”

According to polls, nearly half of New Yorkers oppose gay marriage. The National Black Church Initiative and The New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms promise to protect the religious freedom of these citizens.

Jason McGuire, president of the New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom, said the group will financially assist clerks who resign for religious reasons. The New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedom created a specific fund for this need, called the Courage Fund.

The fund was created “to stand up for clerks, to let them know that they do have rights under the state law, that they have groups and individuals who are willing to stand with them in their defense of marriage.” McGuire said.

Clifton McLaughlin, whose company provides wedding reception music, explained that he too, would deny service for same-sex wedding ceremonies.
“It’s not about discrimination,” McLaughlin said. “Government is not above the Bible when it comes to standing up for God.”

Jaclyn Martin is a student at Grove City College and a summer intern for WORLD Magazine

@Copyright 2011 World Magazine – used with permission