Director, Commonwealth Policy Center

The U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling legalizing same-sex marriage leaves many clergy wondering whether they will legally be able to refuse to perform same-sex weddings. One Kentucky legislator is attempting to make sure the answer to that question remains “yes.” State Rep. Addia Kathryn Wuchner, a Republican who represents part of Boone County, has filed a bill intended to clarify that no state law will be able “to compel a person to solemnize a marriage to which the person holds a sincere religious objection or which is contrary to the person's faith tradition due to the marriage being between persons of the same sex as biologically identified and recorded at birth.” The bill also applies to anyone outside of the clergy with the authority to perform wedding ceremonies, including county judge-executives and magistrates. Rep. Wuchner should be applauded by having the foresight to recognize this potential issue and attempting to head it off at the pass.