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The United States are clearly divided by their distaste for same-sex marriage. This is not unusual. There are many many divides in the US and this is only the latest one. I have heard the solution (thank you Ohio)..
I am going to try to be fair to both sides here.
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From the traditional side, many people believe that their religious freedom should allow them to opt out of providing services to same sex couples. The mildest of these would ensure that same-sex couples get equal service (say marriage license), but that employees with "religious issues" don't have to do the work, some one else is the office would. The strongest of these would allow companies to refuse service to people who identify with same-sex attraction in any case.
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From the liberal side, many people believe that religious freedom DOES include the freedom to believe what you want and act upon it. However, if you are providing a business service for a fee, you are not allowed to discriminate against customers based on sexual orientation as well as skin color, gender or marital status.
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I heard recently however of a proposed Ohio law that splits the difference for me. Which, I know, is hard to believe. It is a religious freedom law I can support!
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The crux of the law is quite simple. A business is allowed to opt out of providing a service to same sex couples, provided that they advertise that way up front. That allows same sex couples or gay people to not be offended when we are turned away or to make it our problem. It also allows the religious freedom of individual to choose who to serve.
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The New York Farm that advertises as a space for Wedding and Wedding Receptions could then simple advertise, Available for opposite sex weddings only, due to Religious Freedom. Now I could laugh with my friends and say, "I wonder if they allow second marriages. Or if they allow people had sex before marriage to get married there. Because that is against the Catholic Religion too." This gets them out of holding gay-wedding receptions there - which they are fighting in court right now.
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This would also allow them to deny weddings to Jewish people, Atheists, Lutherans ... well really anyone except Catholics who bring their own Priest. And right now they have to provide access to these groups too.
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I make fun of "Liberty Farms", but I am serious. If the law said they had to advertise that they discriminate against any group for religious reasons, I would be a-okay with that law.
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