Oregon Judge Refuses to Perform Same-Sex Marriages, Cites First Amendment Right to Religious Freedom

Marion County Circuit Judge Vance Day, a former chairman of the Oregon Republican Party, took steps Thursday to create a legal defense fund in an apparent response to his decision not to perform same-sex marriage ceremonies.

Day took action because of what he described as “deeply-held religious beliefs,” KGW reported.

“It’s an exercise of his religious freedom rights under the First Amendment,” Day spokesman Patrick Korten told the news station.

In recent months, Day has not performed any marriage ceremonies, KGW reported. His courtroom is in Salem . . .

Day noted in an affidavit signed Aug. 19 that he was seeking to establish the fund to defray legal expenses in connection with inquiries by the Oregon Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability involving allegations of violations of the Oregon Code of Judicial Conduct and the Oregon Constitution. (Read more from “Oregon Judge Refuses to Perform Same-Sex Marriages, Cites First Amendment Right to Religious Freedom” HERE)

Follow Joe Miller on Twitter HERE and Facebook HERE.