Public officials to Ohio judge - DO THE JOB YOU ARE BEING PAID TO DO!

McConnell

Kudos to Equality Toledo for this. It is called striking back at those who would deny the lgbt community our constitutional rights:

Nearly 30 public officials signed a petition, released today, calling on Toledo Municipal Court Judge. C. Allen McConnell to “fulfill the duty of his elected position” after he refused to marry a same-sex couple last week.

The signatures, collected by Equality Toledo, include several Toledo City Council members, all three Lucas County Commissioners, and former Mayor Mike Bell. Equality Toledo plans to post the petition on social media.

“We are disappointed that Judge Allen McConnell has refused to fulfill the duty of his elected position,” the statement reads in part. “If he does not agree with the laws of the United States of America, he is free to work to change them — either as a citizen or as a member of a legislative body. But as judge, he has absolutely no discretion — he must apply and follow the law, including the ones with which he does not agree.”

 . . .  Judge McConnell refused to marry a same-sex couple July 6 when the two came to his duties court. He released a statement the next day saying his “personal and Christian beliefs” prevented him from performing the marriage. The Toledo women were married by Toledo Municipal Court Judge William Connelly, Jr. later that afternoon. 

The irony of the entire situation is that the Family Research Council added in its two cents before the petition, exploiting the fact that the judge is an African-American as if to imply racism on behalf of those wanting McConnell to do his job:

 The African American judge, who says the civil rights struggle is what "inspired his career," explained, "On Monday, July 6, I declined to marry a non-traditional couple during my duties assignment. The declination was based upon my personal and Christian beliefs established over many years. I apologize to the couple for the delay they experienced and wish them the best." As Alliance Defending Freedom pointed out, "The ability of the couple to find someone to solemnize their ceremony in 45 minutes illustrates that there is no substantial government interest in forcing this judge to violate his sincerely held beliefs." Yet, liberal activists -- the same ones who insisted the country could find common ground between marriage and religious liberty -- will accept nothing less than complete capitulation on faith. If that means trampling a man's sincerely-held beliefs, so be it.

Whatever. Since when does the Family Research Council actually give a #@^!# about issues affecting the African-American community?  Just like Mike Huckabee, FRC only supposedly plays "defense" for black people when they want to pit them against the lgbt community.