Pinedale Magistrate Refuses Gay Weddings
CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — A state judicial panel is investigating a western Wyoming local magistrate who was quoted in a local newspaper saying she would not perform same-sex marriages.
Pinedale Municipal Judge Ruth Neely told the Sublette Examiner in a story published last December she would not marry gay couples because of her religious beliefs.
A federal judge in Casper struck down Wyoming's gay marriage ban last year.
The Wyoming Commission on Judicial Conduct and Ethics says in a statement that it has begun an investigation of Neely over six possible violations of judicial conduct.
The statement says Neely has denied violating judicial conduct and says performing same-sex marriage would violate her constitutional rights.