Justices of the peace confront dilemmas on gay marriage (in Mass.)

[Ediacara]

Justices of the peace confront dilemmas on gay marriage
Opponents face wedding quandry

By Kathleen Burge, Globe Staff | April 18, 2004

John Vozzella is not a fan of gay marriage. He calls the decision from the state's highest court allowing same-sex couples to wed "ridiculous" and hopes voters eventually amend the state constitution to ban it.

But starting May 17, Vozzella may be required to marry gay couples who request his services. As a justice of the peace, a gubernatorially appointed position, he has the authority to perform wedding ceremonies.

Although there has been no definitive legal ruling, many observers believe that justices of the peace cannot refuse to marry couples because they are gay. And so, a month before the first gay couples may legally marry in Massachusetts, some justices of the peace who oppose same-sex marriage may simply resign.

"There is a possibility I would just turn in my appointment," said Vozzella, who owns an insurance agency and lives in Walpole. "From what I've heard, there's a lot of people who feel that way."

More at the Boston Globe

[freetobegay]

1. Well

"There is a possibility I would just turn in my appointment," said Vozzella, who owns an insurance agency and lives in Walpole. "From what I've heard, there's a lot of people who feel that way."

Cry me a river.