Appeals Court Rejects Challenge To Gay Marriage-Recusal Law

A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge to North Carolina's gay marriage-recusal law.

The Richmond-based 4th Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a challenge to a North Carolina law that allows magistrates to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.

Three couples — two gay and one interracial — had sued, arguing that the state was improperly using their tax dollars to accommodate magistrates' religious views.

The court issued a ruling on Wednesday that the couples did not meet the narrow criteria for challenging the law as taxpayers, and therefore did not have standing.

The 2015 measure allows magistrates to recuse themselves from performing same-sex marriages because of religious beliefs. Those who do so are prevented from officiating all marriages for at least six months.