July 1, 2011 | Sex & Society

Feisty anti-gay city clerk backing down

Most people mellow with age, but not Barbara MacEwen. The 75-year-old Republican, and acting town clerk of a Volney, NY, made headlines when she said she won't be signing any same sex marriage certificates, even though it is now legal for gays to get married in New York state.

The gay marriage bill was signed by governor Andrew Cuomo last Friday, and does allow exemptions for religious groups. However, public officials are not exempt, regardless of personal beliefs. 

"That's their life, they can do it, but I don't feel I should be forced into something that's against my morals and my God," said Mrs MacEwen. "If there's any possible way to not do it legally, then yes, I would not want to put my name on any of those certificates or papers."

She even turned to anti-gay state senator Patty Ritchie, who voted against legalising gay marriage, for help.

"I don't want to have to leave my position, and I still feel strongly about not wanting to sign, but I'm not sure if there's another way around it," she continued.

State senator David Carlucci, who supported the bill, asked MacEwen to change her mind or resign.

"While I respect Ms MacEwen's personal views and her right to express them, I do not agree that she has the right to deny same sex couples the rights so ardently fought for and accepted as law," he said.

However, she seems to have softened her position. 

She was quoted this week saying: "I took an oath to follow the law and I intend to do that. I’m resigned to the fact that I don’t agree with it, but I will do it and I will treat them equally."

But she'll only sign such certificates with the most sour look that she can muster.

Volney clerk may relent on SSM [Capitol Confidential]

Clerk refuses to sign gay marriage licenses [KCTV]