Panel Recommends Removal of Judge Who Refused to Perform Gay Marriage Ceremony

A county judge in Oregon may lose his job after refusing to perform a same-sex marriage ceremony.

A state judicial fitness panel is recommending the removal of Marion County Judge Vance Day for refusing to perform such ceremonies based on his religious beliefs.

The Commission on Judicial Fitness and Disability filed its recommendation to the Oregon Supreme Court on Monday. The panel has accused Day of discrimination based on sexual orientation and ethical violations.

The commission said that when a same-sex couple asked Day to perform their marriage, he told his staff to lie about his availability and direct them to another judge.

A spokesman for the judge said the panel is disregarding his First Amendment rights and that he's innocent on the ethics charges.