NC Men Wed After Initial Denial By Magistrate

A magistrate in northeastern North Carolina apparently will not face disciplinary action after refusing to marry two men after the end of the state's gay marriage ban.

The Daily Advance of Elizabeth City reported that Pasquotank County Magistrate Gary Littleton refused Monday to marry Williams Locklear and Randall Jackson.

Littleton cited his religious views that marriage should be between one man and one woman.

Another magistrate, Lee Custis, married the men Tuesday.

Jackson told the newspaper that he and Locklear do not plan to file a formal complaint against Littleton.

His position conflicts with orders issued by the state Administrative Office of the Courts that all judicial personnel accommodate same-sex couples just as they would heterosexual couples after last week's ruling by a federal judge striking down the prohibition.

This story is part of our special report: "Gay Marriage". Want to read more? Here's the full list.