I'm sure many of you read Chrislove's excellent diary yesterday about the clerk in New York who doesn't want to marry the dirty gays. Well, Barker New York Town Clerk, Laura Fortusky has announced her intention to resign her position effective July 21st.
“There was no protection provided in the legislation for Town Clerks who are unable to sign these marriage licenses due to personal religious convictions, even though our US Constitution supports freedom of religion.,” Fortusky wrote in her resignation letter.
Dear Laura,
This doesn't infringe on your religious convictions. It just keeps you from imposing your convictions on the rest of New York.
Good luck on your job search.
Best regards,
Steven
There is no doubt that she hopes to become a martyr for her bigoted cause and I'm sure she will. All the usual players from NOM to The Family Research Council will hold her up as a cause célèbre for their contention that marriage equality will stifle individual religious freedoms. The truth of the matter is, Laura Fortusky hasn't lost one iota of her religious freedom. What she has lost is her right to impose her religion on others. Now matter how loudly the hate groups shout about losing their right to be bigots, it is our right not to be ruled by them. They are losing their grip and we are winning our equality.
I would be compromising my moral conscience if I participated in the licensing procedure. Therefore, I will be resigning as of July 21. I wanted you to know my position as I understand the marriage law goes into effect on July 24."
This is surely her prerogative and it is her right to hold whatever convictions she sees fit, no matter how misguided. Now she won't be faced with that dilemma. It's a win all the way around.
Now, to all of you New Yorkers who want to marry the loves of your lives, go get those licenses and be happy.