Miriam's on Medical Leave

So like... yes, this endangers same-sex marriage. It also endangers interracial marriage. It also endangers marriage for people who aren't Christian.

This is a blanket permission to be as bigoted as the clerk wants to be.

And if you don't think the fascists will push this as far as it will go, you haven't been paying attention.

https://www.advocate.com/politics/tennessee-marriage-licenses-officials-lgbtq#toggle-gdpr

Tennessee Republicans just quietly overturned gay marriage

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

Advocate.com
Feb 28, 2024 at 5:13pmWeb
Show threadnaxFeb 28, 2024
@miriamrobern it looks dodgy but when your rights are being infringed upon by an ever closer fusion of state and church, going outside of existing systems may be the only option https://www.themonastery.org/perform-a-wedding/tennessee.
How to Perform a Wedding in Tennessee - Universal Life Church

The Universal Life Church explains Tennessee marriage laws, how to become an ordained minister, and how to perform a wedding in Tennessee with 5 steps.

Universal Life Church Monastery
Show threadJayFeb 28, 2024

@miriamrobern As I understand the marriage process, as I got married a couple of years ago, the county clerk's office doesn't solemnize the marriage. That would be judges or ministers. The clerk would still have to issue the license and file it upon its return.

You can get ordained online for free and register as an officiant in whatever state really easily. I don't think people will have trouble finding someone to marry them.

Show threadA Lloyd FlanaganFeb 28, 2024
@JayBird76 Why should they have to go to any trouble at all, because some government employee decides God — or the voices in their head — told them not to do their job?
Show threadJayFeb 28, 2024

@alloydflanagan Most wedding officiants aren't government employees; they're church ministers.

Most counties have a list of officiants if you ask for one.

Show threadcui bono, baby.Feb 28, 2024
@JayBird76 @alloydflanagan
So what? People shouldn't have to go out of their way because some bigot doesn't want to do the job he is being paid to do.
Show threadJayFeb 29, 2024
@cuibonobaby @alloydflanagan You have to find your own officiant no matter what. That's just the way it works.
Show threadRaven667Feb 29, 2024

@JayBird76 on the off chance you are not just being obtuse, if the clerk can refuse to issue/accept the marriage license for no legitimate reason then it doesn't matter who or what officiates the wedding, it doesn't have legal status, not for inheritance, not for medical, not for taxes, not for banking or anything else that depends on the legal concept.

your friends could be happy for you though, but as far as the law is concerned you have a roomate, renter or squatter not a spouse.

Show threadJayFeb 29, 2024
@raven667 Go read the 2 sentence law. It doesn't say the clerk can refuse. Clerks don't solemnize, they just issue the license and file it. The person who solemnizes the marriage is called the officiant. Once again, ministers and judges solemnize, not the clerk. The law doesn't mention a clerk. I'm not being obtuse; I know what the words actually mean. You should look them up before you hurt yourself.
Show threadCats Who Draw Feb 28, 2024
@miriamrobern Fuck.
Show threadTor KingdonFeb 28, 2024
@miriamrobern I’m not naïve enough to think some clerks won’t push this too far, but I am hopeful that even this Supreme Court will agree this is “patently unconstitutional.”
Show threadAtzFeb 28, 2024

@miriamrobern

"So tell me why you two think I should allow you to get married."

Last thing a small town clerk needs is this amount of power.

Show threadJohn BurnsFeb 28, 2024

@miriamrobern

Send it to the Supreme Court and let's really see how Clarence votes on it...

You know. Given who his wife is...

Will this be his way of getting a divorce?

Asking for a friend... 🤪

Show threadtessaraktFeb 28, 2024
@miriamrobern Finally an argument why the principles of the civil service system should be enshrined in the constitution.
Show threaddamonFeb 28, 2024
@miriamrobern Thanks for saying this. A lot of people were super exclusionary and only went to LGBTQ+ people and neglected the broad scope of this and the widespread harm of this. This is terrible for anyone outside of those you’ve stated
Show threadElle 💗Feb 29, 2024

@miriamrobern
The Supreme Court case challenging Obergefell is coming, the only question is which one.

It's possible they may go for this one in a "religious freedom" to chip away at it, but there will also be some case to challenge the ability of the state to ban it altogether.

The same goes for abortion medication and birth control.

Show threadChuckFeb 29, 2024
@miriamrobern Just like all the states that started their abortion bans, it’s all being done to go to SCOTUS which will reverse Obergfell because it’s been in the RNC playbook since 2016. Just as overturning Roe. After that is disregarding Constitutional law for Biblical law. What we really need is a ban on religion because it’s nothing but trouble.
Show threadSparkleTeaFeb 29, 2024

@miriamrobern

This is so messed up.
They are aiming to reraise this issue in SCOTUS.