In the ongoing battle for equal rights for the LGBT community a new fight is under way in Ledyard, New York. Rose Marie Belforti, town clerk for Ledyard, recently refused to sign the marriage license application for a lesbian couple. She cited religious belief that it is wrong to do so. While it is perfectly within the law to believe as one wishes it is unacceptable to inflict one’s religious beliefs on others in a professional capacity as a municipal employee.
Belforti has made no secret of her unwillingness to perform her professional obligations. She’s also made the religious foundation for her refusal very public.
In an interview on CitizenLink.com, a Focus on the Family affiliate, she is asked the reason for her refusal to perform her duty. She states:
“I am a Christian. God is the final word. He is the Truth, and I believe what the Bible says. When I considered this, God was there with me and I really knew inside, without waver, that this is not right.”
Her personal objection on religious grounds is preventing her from performing her duty. The town can, should, and is required by law to appoint another official to carry out the duties she is unwilling to perform in this situation. No appointment as occurred so far.
Belforti ends the interview by stating, as part of an apparent objection to the addition of the word spouse to the marriage form along with the words bride and groom:
“We know what a bride is, we know what a groom is-but if we choose to be a “spouse,” does that even limit (marriage) to a human being? Do you know what I’m saying?”
One can almost hear a conspiratorial tone and a nudge, nudge, wink, wink with that last question.
Belforti appears to be drawing a parallel between gay marriage and bestiality. Similar objections were raised in the past as objections to interracial marriage, a marital union now legal in the United States. Denying a marriage license to a mixed race couple might be considered illegal today even if the objector cited religious motivation.
Laws do exist to protect employees from being forced to perform spiritually objectionable duties. In this case one person’s religious beliefs are being used to deny other people equal treatment under the law. There will almost certainly be a ground-breaking civil rights lawsuit as a result.
Perhaps another government form – the job description for town clerks – needs a modification to include this:
“Employee agrees that refusal to obey the law for any reason is grounds for immediate termination, and any actions taken by the employee in violation of the law will result in immediate prosecution.” Perhaps it’s inappropriate for someone who refuses to perform legally obligated duties to hold any public office or government job.
Belforti does not have to like gay people or think it is right under her belief system for them to marry. She’s legally entitled to privately held beliefs. Violating the civil rights of others to suit her religious beliefs is no more acceptable now than it was during the time of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.s campaign for equal rights.
If Belforti’s beliefs prevent her from performing her job it would have been more appropriate to resign than to stand in the way of fair treatment of other human beings.The town government of Ledyard, New York should replace Belforti immediately and issue the marriage license. A public apology should be offered. Belforti’s actions are also A misdemeanor as applicable under New York Penal Law Article 195 in the section regarding the definition of Official Misconduct, a fact pointed out in a memo sent by the gay couple’s attorneys.
The nation is watching, Ledyard. Obey the law.
Also written by Andrew
Continue trend toward equal opportunity for gays in the military
Don’t let spin influence your vote