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Marriage Equality

WATCH: Rather Than Marry Same-Sex Couples, This Judge Won't Marry Anybody

WATCH: Rather Than Marry Same-Sex Couples, This Judge Won't Marry Anybody

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In a video of his last courthouse wedding ceremony, Judge Lonnie T. Parkerson of Georgia quotes the Bible to defend his criticism of the marriage equality ruling.

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A judge in Georgia has decided he'd rather quit doing part of his job -- officiating at weddings -- rather than have to do so for a same-sex couple.

Dodge County Magistrate Judge Lonnie T. Parkerson made the announcement just before officiating at a wedding for a man and a woman earlier this month, later telling Macon, Ga. TV station WMAZ he the last straw was when two women came in to get married.

"About two weeks ago I had some people come in the office and asked me to do a wedding and I'm not doing weddings any more since the Supreme Court passed the law that they did."

Those "people" were a lesbian couple that Judge Parkerson said he turned away. He explained himself to a couple about to get married, and his remarks were captured on video.

"I want y'a'll to know you're the last wedding that I'm ever gonna do. They were already scheduled so I'll do them too. I just can't do it the other way, y'all, it ain't right. The Bible explains it just like that [snaps his fingers] what marriage is. That is a marriage right there [points to man and woman getting married]. What came in my office the other day was two ladies, it's not a marriage."

Then the couple Parkerson was marrying nodded in agreement, and said "Amen."
Parkerson is a banker by profession and in his third term as magistrate, according to the Georgia Voice. He told the Macon TV station Dodge County is out of the courthouse wedding business, no matter who asks.

"There won't be any more done by this office and by me or any of my personnel."

Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, a Republican, announced plans recently for a "Pastor's Protection Act" next session, to prevent clergy from being forced to perform a same-sex marriage. Constitutional scholars say that right is already guaranteed by the First Amendment and was reflected in the Supreme Court Justices's opinions on June 26.

Watch WMAZ's report by clicking on the video below.

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The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.
The Advocate's news editor Dawn Ennis successfully transitioned from broadcast journalism to online media following another transition that made headlines; in 2013, she became the first trans staffer in any major TV network newsroom. As the first out transgender editor at The Advocate, the native New Yorker continues her 30-year media career, in which she has earned more than a dozen awards, including two Emmys. With the blessing of her three children, Dawn retains the most important job title she's ever held: Dad.