Washington State Judge Reprimanded for Refusing to Perform Gay Marriage
A judge in Washington State has been reprimanded by the state's Judicial Conduct Commission for publicly stating that he would not officiate at a same-sex wedding. Washington residents legalized homosexual marriage via a state referendum late last year. Shortly before the vote Thurston County Superior Court Judge Gary Tabor told colleagues that he was uncomfortable with the idea of officiating at same-sex partnering ceremonies and asked if other judges would perform them in his place, according to SeattlePI.com. “His comments were leaked to the press,” the news site reported, “and Tabor reiterated his position in interviews, saying it was a personal religious objection and not an official stance of the court.”
While judges in the state aren't required to officiate at weddings, the State Judicial Commission admonished Tabor that, because he had a record of officiating at traditional weddings,...
Paul Fountain | 1/30/2009
