(source)

Workers in the San Diego County clerk’s office who object to same-sex marriages may be excused from officiating at gay weddings, according to Mercury News.

County Clerk Gregory Smith says he is considering allowing his employees to opt out of the ceremonies for religious or moral reasons.

The California Supreme Court last week overturned the state’s ban on same-sex marriages, meaning county clerks will be required to perform marriages for gay couples starting next month.

Smith says no employees have asked so far to be excused from officiating at the ceremonies, but he wants to respect those with strong beliefs. Smith says he doesn’t think it’s correct “to force employees to do it, and I don’t think you would want someone who is hostile to your beliefs performing your ceremony. 

Similar ideas were considered in Canada, and in England. However, clerks in those countries decided that it is better that employees not officiate at any unions or marriages and were moved to other jobs in the organization. Some were forced to officiate at same sex unions, if they didn’t want to move jobs. It won’t be surprising when these officials are forced to conduct same sex marriages. And that’s a good thing. Imagine these people saying that they wouldn’t allow black people from obtaining forms for home purchases in certain neighborhoods because they don’t want black people in that neighborhood. That wouldn’t fly, and neither should not performing a marriage on moral grounds.