Written by Don Byrd
Legislation introduced in the New Hampshire legislature would offer broad protections for businesses to refuse wedding services to individuals if the marriage runs counter to their religious beliefs.
Because federal anti-discrimination laws already prohibit discrimination based on race, gender, religion and national origin, the measure seems clearly aimed at same-sex weddings.
Religious and civil liberties leaders claim that under the bill, HB 1264, the state would give license to people ignoring anti-discrimination laws.
“This will lead to bigotry and discrimination,” said Roberta Barry of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. “Where does it stop…[?]”
The bill would permit any individual to refuse to give services, accommodations or benefits to work at any marriage that would be “a violation of the person’s conscience or religious faith.”
“A person’s refusal to provide services…shall not create any civil claim or cause of action or result in any state action to penalize or withhold benefits from such person,” reads the text of the bill.
This law could apply to florists, photographers, caterers or any other business traditionally part of a wedding ceremony.
You can read HB 1264 here.
