Pocatello mayor discusses same-sex marriage

Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad responded to the issue of same-sex marriage in Pocatello. The mayor discussed his role in performing marriages in the future and reminded everyone of the nondiscrimination ordinance that was passed May 20, 2014.

Blad said he has only performed a few marriages this year, and that was only because they were scheduled – he is not taking on any new marriage requests this year.

He said it simply became overwhelming at some points, and said he’s actually been stood up on the day of a wedding he was set to perform.

But he says if he were still taking on new marriages, he would perform same-sex weddings because that would be the law. He says he hopes anyone required to perform marriages by law will perform all marriages legally recognized.

“I would encourage you to follow the law of the land. People are people,” Blad said. “Let’s make sure we remember that.”

Blad also said this is where the nondiscrimination ordinance comes into more meaning. He said the law applies to businesses that may be asked to perform services for same-sex weddings, like baking cakes, providing flowers or being a hosting venue.

He said he hopes business owners will look at customers as people first, and not refuse their business based on gender identity or sexual orientation.

One of the big concerns of opponents of same-sex marriage is about the ordinance and religion. They’re worried worship leaders would have to marry same-sex couples if their religion doesn’t agree with it.

The city of Pocatello’s legal department was unavailable for comment Wednesday, but our news team will follow up on that to provide you that information.

To find out if your mayor is performing weddings, you can call your mayor’s office.