N.Y. Clerk Who Refused Gay Marriage Licenses Wins Reelection

Religion Today | Published: Nov 11, 2011

N.Y. Clerk Who Refused Gay Marriage Licenses Wins Reelection

The town clerk in Ledyard, N.Y., who drew national attention after refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples won reelection Tuesday, the Religion News Service reports. Rose Marie Belforti polarized residents of the small, rural town in August after saying her Christian beliefs prevented her from issuing a marriage license to a lesbian couple, but defeated write-in candidate Ed Easter in a 305-to-186 victory, thanking supporters for choosing "religious freedom over religious intolerance." Belforti said she should not have to relinquish her religious freedoms to do her town job, and the town has since asked a deputy clerk to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in hopes that action will be considered to be in compliance with the state's Marriage Equality Act, which was passed in June.

N.Y. Clerk Who Refused Gay Marriage Licenses Wins Reelection