Same sex law prompts clerk declaration

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., June 7 (UPI) -- A county clerk says her office will stop performing weddings as a California law legalizing same-sex marriages is about to go into effect, officials say.

Officials said Kern County Clerk Ann Barnett has decided to stop officiating all wedding ceremonies a few days before June 17, the day all same-sex couples in California can legally be married, the Los Angeles Times reported Saturday.

Barnett said in a written statement that as required by law, her office will process all marriage license applications even after the new state law goes into effect.

While officials have said Barnett's decision was entirely due to financial reasons, an e-mail from Kern County Assistant Clerk Glenn Spencer indicated the move may have been due to her principles.

Spencer contacted a legal defense fund to learn the potential legal ramifications if the temporary wedding stoppage occurs, the Times reported.

"We have the news media calling for her response, and we need to issue a news release today, but she really needs to be assured of your legal assistance before she speaks to them, as we fully expect to be sued and our own counsel is not being of help," Spencer said in the e-mail.