MARION, N.C. (AP) — Magistrates in a northwestern North Carolina county are refusing to perform same-sex marriages, citing the state’s religious exemption law, and officials in a neighboring county are stepping in to help. Four McDowell County magistrates recused themselves from performing ...

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MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court declared Friday that same-sex couples have a right to marry anywhere in the United States. Gay and lesbian couples already could marry in 36 states and the District of Columbia. ...

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RALEIGH (AP) — A measure allowing some court officials to refuse to perform gay marriage responsibilities because of their religious beliefs became law in North Carolina on Thursday, with the state House voting to override the governor’s veto of the ...

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WASHINGTON (AP) — Pivotal Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy did not tip his hand Tuesday as the high court heard historic arguments over the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. Kennedy, whose vote could decide the issue, offered ...

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Same-sex marriage opponents acknowledge they face a tough task in trying to persuade the Supreme Court to allow states to limit marriage to a man and a woman.

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RALEIGH — One former and one current magistrate have filed a lawsuit against North Carolina court officials, claiming that being forced to preside over same-sex marriages violates their religious freedoms. Media outlets report Charlie Smoak, who was a Moore County ...

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CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — A federal judge on Wednesday struck down South Carolina’s same-sex marriage ban as unconstitutional, opening the door to such marriages but also giving the state a week to appeal. U.S. District Judge Richard Gergel, ruling in ...

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RALEIGH — The chief administrator of North Carolina’s courts says magistrates are duty-bound to marry gay couples and says he finds no federal law or rulings that would exempt them based on religious beliefs opposing same-sex marriage. Administrative Office of ...

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CHARLOLTTE — Those who provide wedding services are excited about the legalization of same-sex marriage in North Carolina. The businesses are expecting a sharp increase in customers now that the state’s ban on gay marriage has been overturned by federal ...

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RALEIGH — As same-sex couples in North Carolina await federal court rulings they hope will allow them to get married, Republican legislative leaders are making a last-minute move to block or delay the nuptials. House Speaker Thom Tillis and Senate leader ...

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