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Rather than wish same-sex couples who have waited for decades for today's Supreme Court ruling legalizing equal marriage for gays and lesbians, he issued a directive affirming his passion for protecting religious liberties — which aren't being eroded.
“The Supreme Court has abandoned its role as an impartial judicial arbiter and has become an unelected nine-member legislature. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have imposed on the entire country their personal views on an issue that the Constitution and the Court’s previous decisions reserve to the people of the States," Abbott says in a press statement. “Despite the Supreme Court’s rulings, Texans’ fundamental right to religious liberty remains protected. No Texan is required by the Supreme Court’s decision to act contrary to his or her religious beliefs regarding marriage."
Just like yesterday! Because the only thing that's changed between then and now is that same-sex couples can get married and no longer face discrimination from the state.
Earlier this month, Abbott signed the Pastor Protection Act, which guarantees the right of clergy to not marry same-sex couples if they don't want to. However, there are plenty of pastors who will and couples can be married by a civil judge.
“As I have done in the past, I will continue to defend the religious liberties of all Texans — including those whose conscience dictates that marriage is only the union of one man and one woman. Later today, I will be issuing a directive to state agencies instructing them to prioritize the protection of Texans’ religious liberties," Abbott says.
And then he told state agencies to feel free to let religious belief play into whether an organization grants or denies benefits, how to manage agency employees, entering or enforcing agency contracts, in licensing and permitting decisions or in enforcing state laws and regulations.
Seems like he just gave a go ahead to bigots in state government to discriminate as their religious beliefs see fit.
Abbott's got their back.
State AgencyHeads SCOTUS Rulin 06262015
