California bill would allow clergy to decline to marry gay couples

San Francisco Chronicle
February 1, 2010
California state Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) has introduced a bill that would allow religious leaders to refuse to perform any marriage that conflicts with their religious beliefs, stating that such a decision "shall not affect the tax-exempt status of any entity." Supporters of the freedom to marry want to alleviate concerns of those with religious objections while emphasizing the separation between civil and religious recognition of marriages. [Link]