Press Call: Judge rules magistrates can’t be targeted for beliefs on marriage Press call to discuss how judge’s ruling finds solution that protect the dignity of everyone

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A press call will be held today at 1:00 p.m. EST to discuss a recent federal ruling in Myrick v. EEOC stating that the government can’t target magistrates because of their beliefs. When same-sex marriage became legal, North Carolina magistrate Gayle Myrick didn’t want to stop any couple from getting married, but she also knew that her religious beliefs prevented her from performing a same-sex wedding ceremony. Gayle’s immediate supervisor proposed a solution: shift Gayle’s schedule by a couple hours so she wasn’t working when marriage ceremonies were performed. However, the state government rejected this reasonable solution and forced Gayle to resign, which a federal judge said was discrimination under civil rights laws. The case ended in a significant settlement agreement, in which the State agreed to pay Gayle her salary and retirement benefits that were unjustly taken away, demonstrating that reasonable solutions can be found to protect the dignity of each person (watch her story here).

What:
Press Call to discuss Myrick v. EEOC

Who:
Stephanie Barclay, counsel at Becket

When:
Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. EST

Press Call Information:
888-670-9385 | Pin #: 54523
Email media@becketlaw.org with questions

Gayle was represented by Becket together with Ellis Boyle of Knott & Boyle, PLLC.

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact Melinda Skea at media@becketlaw.org or 202-349-7224. Interviews can be arranged in English, Chinese, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

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Becket is a non-profit, public-interest law firm dedicated to protecting the free expression of all religious traditions and has a 100% win-rate before the United States Supreme Court. For over 20 years, it has successfully defended clients of all faiths, including Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims, Native Americans, Sikhs, and Zoroastrians (read more here).