TOLEDO, Ohio (AP) — After a municipal court judge in Toledo refused to perform a same-sex wedding this week, the presiding judge says she will now perform all marriages in her courtroom.
Toledo Municipal Judge Michelle Wagner says she doesn’t want to see a same-sex couple go before a judge who is not interested in conducting the ceremony. She said it is her privilege to perform those weddings.
Her decision came after her colleague, Municipal Judge C. Allen McConnell, said he didn’t marry a same-sex couple earlier this week because of his religious beliefs. Another judge was brought in to perform the wedding the same day.
The court typically uses a weekly rotation of judges to perform marriages and handle other unscheduled matters. McConnell was on duty Monday when he refused to perform the wedding.
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It’s awesome that Judge Wagner stepped in to do the right thing, but it should NOT let that bigoted asswipe McConnell off the hook. He at least needs to be removed from the bench, if not disbarred.
Edit: missed the very important word ‘not’. Thanks LJB860!
If he won’t do his job, he should quit. If he won’t quit he should be removed.
The fact that Judge McConnell has compromised his judicial responsibilities based on his personal beliefs and biases should disqualify him from sitting on the bench. It also throws into question his previous judicial decisions. How many other times has have his beliefs and biases influenced his decisions?
On the other hand, Judge Wagner’s actions are to be applauded.
but it should NOT let that bigoted asswipe McConnell off the hook.
Oh my word … my missed word, that is! Thank you for reading what I actually typed instead of what I thought I did.