Two N.J. mayors will stop performing marriages to avoid gay weddings
The (Vineland, N.J.) Daily Journal

The mayors of both Millville and Vineland said Monday they will no longer perform marriages of any kind in an effort to avoid the marriage of gay and lesbian couples.

The mayors released a joint statement Monday explaining their positions, so "that both unfortunate misinformation and deliberate distortions of the facts can be eliminated from the public discourse."

The mayors said their decision stems from religious beliefs.

"our refusal to perform these ceremonies is based on each of our individual beliefs, i.e., that marriage is intended to be a union between a man and a woman. At the same time, we recognize alternative lifestyles in our communities, we value the many contributions of those citizens to the community and we give every respect to their civil rights and privileges the same as for all citizens," according to the mayors' statement.

According to the state attorney general, mayors refusing to...