Local lawmakers react to gay marriage ruling
[gtxvideo vid=”VOXvptV5″ playlist=”” pid=”OTSe9U1y” thumb=”http://player.gtxcel.com/thumbs/VOXvptV5.jpg” vtitle=”TN Constituition Explanation PKG”]
JACKSON, Tenn. — Madison County issued its first same-sex marriage license on Monday, three days after a Supreme Court ruling allowing gay marriage nationwide. “I don’t really have anything against it because you love who you love — you can’t help that,” LeFreida Gatlin, of Jackson, said. “I disagree with it,” Bobby Henley, of Jackson, said. “I just don‘t think it‘s right.” In 2006, Tennesseans voted for a constitutional amendment defining marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, said the state constitution may not have to be changed in order to comply with the federal ruling. “I don’t see where we have to change anything, just simply comply with the federal law and still maintain what we believe marriage is between a man and a woman,” Shaw said. Sen. Ed Jackson, R-Jackson, said he does not foresee lawmakers amending the state constitution and believes the federal government is overstepping by taking away a state‘s right to decide on the matter. “It definitely goes against the Holy Bible, which I recognize and I go by, and that’s a higher court than the Supreme Court, actually,” Jackson said. State lawmakers head back to Nashville after the first of the year. Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, and Rep. Andy Holt, R-Dresden, said they plan to present legislation that would prevent pastors from having to perform same-sex marriages and provide legal protection from being forced to perform unions on church property.
