Fulton commission: Get ready for same-sex marriage
The Fulton County Board of Commissioners Wednesday asked county courts to be ready if the U.S. Supreme Court legalizes same-sex marriage.
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue by the end of this month, and many observers expect a historic ruling recognizing the legality of same-sex marriage. By a vote of 5-0, commissioners approved a resolution asking the Probate Court to develop a list of judges willing to officiate at same-sex marriages and to otherwise prepare for them.
The resolution is a mostly symbolic gesture – the Probate Court does not report to the Board of Commissioners, and Georgia officials have pledged to abide by the Supreme Court’s decision. But a majority of commissioners said they wanted to do whatever they could to prepare for the decision.
“Fulton County has always been a leader on equity issues for all people,” Commissioner Joan Garner said. “This resolution is a continuation of this leadership to protect the rights of all citizens.”
Commissioner Bob Ellis did not vote on the resolution. He expressed reservations about predicting how the Supreme Court might rule and telling other elected officials how to do their jobs.
About the Author
David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues. Previously, he covered local government and politics in Gwinnett and Fulton counties. Before moving to Atlanta, he worked at newspapers in Illinois, Tennessee, Virginia and Washington.
