Ohio judge refuses to wed same-sex couple because of 'personal and Christian beliefs'

A Toledo, Ohio Municipal Court judge refused on Monday to marry a same-sex couple or to even meet with them to discuss the issue.

David Badash at The New Civil Rights Movement wrote that Judge C. Allen McConnell refused to wed 51-year-old Carolyn Wilson and her partner when they arrived at the courthouse on Monday.

The two women were told that McConnell, the judge on duty does not perform "these types of marriages."

Wilson and her partner were able to get married by another judge after a delay, but she says that the incident was insulting and "embarrassing" and said that it "put a damper on the day.”

“If he would have taken the time to talk to us, it would have been a little more palatable,” she told the Toledo Blade.

On Wednesday, Judge McConnell released a statement explaining that to perform his judicial duties for the two women would constitute a violation of his Christian beliefs and that he is personally applying to the Ohio Supreme Court to be excused from performing "non-traditional" marriages.

"On Monday, July 6, I declined to marry a non-traditional couple during my duties assignment," McConnell wrote. "The declination was based upon my personal and Christian beliefs established over many years. I apologize to the couple for the delay they experienced and wish them the best. The court has implemented a process whereby same sex marriages will be accommodated. I will continue to perform traditional marriages during my duties assignment."

I am also seeking advisory opinion from the Supreme Court of Ohio at this time as to whether or not I can opt out of the rotation," he continued. "Upon receipt of the advisory opinion from Supreme Court, I will abide by its decision."

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