Via NOLA Com
Judges, justices of peace, magistrates and other government officials in Louisiana who oppose same-sex marriage should not feel compelled to resign from their positions, according to a conservative group.
Freedom Guard is offering legal representation to any government official who is considering resigning from their job over fear they will have to support same-sex marriage now that the U.S. Supreme Court has legalized it in all 50 states.
In a memo, the organization outlined how government officials can avoid assisting with same-sex marriages while carrying out their job functions and not running afoul of the law. For example, they said parish clerks who issued marriage licenses should appoint a deputy clerk to do so, should they feel uncomfortable serving same-sex couples.
State Rep. Mike Johnson, who works for Freedom Guard, wrote the memo and sent it to all Louisiana government officials Tuesday (July 28). He also offered his legal services to officials who oppose same-sex marriage for free.
“Longstanding constitutional and statutory protections for religious liberty are essential to who we are as a people, and their continued vitality should not be called into question now that the U.S. Supreme Court has declared a new right to same-sex marriage,” wrote Johnson in the memo.
Johnson said he has already been contacted by some Louisiana officials seeking representation over this issue of same-sex marriage. He said the people asking for legal advice are judges and justices of the peace. He said he couldn’t give out the names of people who contacted him.
“We are certainly anticipating there is going to be litigation,” Johnson said.